Joyce Mathers

ISLAND FALLS - Joyce Mathers, a woman of faith, 92, passed away on Wednesday, October 25th at Madigan Estates after a short illness. She was born August 8, 1931 during the waning days of the Great Depression in Smyrna, Maine. 

Joyce was the youngest and tenth child of Fred and Flossie (Grieve) Lilley. She was a graduate of Oakfield High School where she was also on the women’s basketball team.

Joyce attended one semester of college at the Presque Isle Normal School before marrying Herbert Mathers of Island Falls in 1950. Joyce was a member of the Island Falls Baptist Church and served on several committees. She was an active volunteer at the May Mountain Ski area and enjoyed skiing down the hill through the Pines.

Joyce and Herb started farming in Island Falls and successfully built a dairy operation and later farmed along with their son, Bill and his wife Betty. Joyce and Herb worked side by side at Mathers’ Dairy Farm for more than 40 years. She was an integral part of the operation and there was no farm chore she could not do from driving tractors, trucks, milking cows, mowing and baling hay, and cutting forage crops. If the gable ends of the barn needed painting she was the one who did it. Joyce was a very good seamstress who would sew during the late evening hours of the day after the farm chores were done. Joyce was a lifelong reader of the Bangor Daily News which brought the State and National news directly to the farm table.

She was a kind and generous person, and a loving wife, mother and grandmother who led from the front. Joyce would carry the torch for those she saw needed help. She used to say “Hard work never hurt anyone as long as you get your rest.” Joyce would always put others first. If Joyce thought she owed you five cents she would chase you down to repay whatever favor was done. Another one of her favorite expressions was "use it up, wear it out, and make it do, or do without" After the dairy farm ceased operation, Joyce worked for Green Valley in Island Falls. She truly enjoyed the clients and made many work friends, retiring at age 75. Over the past 11 years she lived with, her daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Scott Bates and they provided a home for her.

Joyce is survived by her two sons, Bill and his wife Betty Mathers, Mike and his wife Jolayne Mathers, and her daughter Cathy and husband Scott Bates. She had seven grandchildren: Bill and wife Shannon Mathers, Kevin and wife Natashia Mathers, Jill Mathers, Samual Mathers, Lucas Mathers, Caleb Mathers, Samantha and husband Jake Willett. Joyce had six great-grandchildren: Jackson Mathers and his fiancée Erin Lake, Kassidy Mathers and fiancé Keaton Lear, Suzy Mathers, Barrett Mathers, Silas Mathers and Alex Willett. She also had one great-great-grandson: Mason Mathers. Joyce had many nieces and nephews and a special friend, Linda King.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Herbert Mathers, her parents, three sisters: Octavia Lilley, Mabel McNelly and Della Clark; and six brothers: Jack, William, Gordon, Burns, Roger and Murray Lilley.

The Mathers' family are appreciative of the care provided by the staff of Houlton Regional Hospital and Madigan Estates of Houlton. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to United Baptist Church in 64 Cleaves St. Island Falls 04747.

Paula Lilley CL minister will be conducting a graveside service at the Island Falls Cemetery at 2pm on Sunday October 29, 2023. Directly following the service there will be a time of fellowship and refreshments at the Island Falls Snowmobile club in Island Falls. To share memories and to leave condolences please visit www.bowersfuneral.com