Rosalind Reed Obituary (1943 - 2013)

Rosalind (Mathias) Reed, 70, of Pontiac, passed away from Melanoma Cancer on Friday, October 25, 2013 at her home while surrounded by her loving family. Services will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Pontiac. Dr. Reverend Ray Owens and Reverend Gretchen Stinebaugh will officiate. Friends may call on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church. Rosalind was born September 17, 1943, in Peoria, Illinois, to Russell D. and Alma (Lamont) Mathias. Russell moved the family from the farming community in Toulan area to Deer Grove, Illinois, where Roz was raised on a farm. Rosalind graduated from Tampico High School and continued on to Illinois State University Normal graduating with a Masters Degree in English. Roz married the love of her life, Homer M. Reed, of Pontiac, on September 10, 1966. Together they raised a wonderful family that will miss her very much. Her love of teaching began as a child knowing that she always wanted to be a teacher. And so it began as she taught English, French and Speech at Cornell High School for 21 years. She was a class sponsor and directed several plays for Cornell High School. As if she did not think that was enough, she began another teaching career at the Illinois Department of Corrections in Dwight, Illinois, retiring in December of 2011. Anticipation for the Christmas holiday would begin with Roz making awesome holiday decorated cookies on her pizza trays and with great joy, both she and Homer would deliver them to both businesses and friends throughout Livingston County. The holidays were always a great family fun time at grandma's house. Everyone who knew Rosalind knew she was active. Homer and Roz travelled all over the country to the world's fair, cruises, horse shows, farm shows and county fairs. If there was a good auction she was there with Homer and her grandchildren buying up those antiques, dishes, crocks and quilts. She loved to read, watch movies, along with being an avid gardener. Roz was very active in the First United Methodist Church especially the tutoring program. She also enjoyed her time with her family and friends. Roz lived her life to the fullest for not only Homer, but for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rosalind always believed in what she said and was always a very straight forward person. Her memory will continue on through all of those who knew her. She made you laugh, smile and learn. She is survived by her loving husband Homer; their children, Timothy Reed of Stonghurst, IL, Jeanna (Paul) Huette of Pontiac, IL, Rory (Carlene) Reed of Kuwait, Rita (Jim) Hoch of Safety Harbor, FL , Lisa Reed Walker of Fairbury, IL; her awesome dog Snookie Bear (Angel); 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild and several nieces and nephews; one brother, Russell Mathias of Rockford, IL, and one sister Emily Garlock Dickenson of Ankeny, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, one brother Monte Mathias and brother- in- law William Dickenson. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to honor her memory to the St. Jude Foundation or to the First United Methodist Church of Pontiac. A special thank you to Vitas Hospice, her special nurse Dawn and all the staff that was so kind.