Rita Woods Mathews, 84, Bardstown

Rita Woods Mathews, ­­­84, of Bardstown, died Friday, July 15, 2011, at her residence.  She was born Dec. 26, 1926, in New Hope. She was a former assistant in the remedial reading program at St. Joseph Elementary School and retired from My Old Kentucky Home State Park after 15 years as a hostess. She was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Altar Society at St. Joseph Parish and a member of the Flaget Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, James William Mathews, a granddaughter, Stephanie Marie Mathews, and two brothers, Stanley Woods and John Bernard “Jake” Woods.

She is survived by four sons, Jimmy (Threse) Mathews of Louisville, Michael (Nancy) Mathews, Johnny (Debbie) Mathews and David (Linda) Mathews, all of Bardstown; two daughters, Mary Strasinger of Bardstown and Rita Ann (Clarence) Spalding of Nashville;  two sisters, Virginia Bowling of New Haven and Ann Jones of Bardstown; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial is 1 p.m. Monday, July 18, 2011, at the Basilica of St Joseph Proto-Cathedral with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Michael Wimsatt will be the celebrant.

Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Sunday and after 10 a.m. Monday at Mann and Greenwell Funeral Home. A prayer service will be 6 p.m. Sunday with Deacon Dick Walsh officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Nelson County or Masses for Mrs. Mathews.  Mann and Greenwell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit www. mannandgreenwell.com.

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