Lois E. Mathiellis

Lois Mathiellis (nee Morgan) passed away April 27, 2021.  Born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 27, 1932 to Ruth and Robert Morgan.  She was the step-daughter of Paul Niederlander and step-sister of Laverne Lawrence Mast.  Former spouse of Joe Saurich and Paul Mathiellis.

Mother of Jennifer Grande (Tony) Gram to Jill Nelson (Steve) Great Gram and “LoLo” to Noelle, Kyle, and Carmel.

Lois was a proud 1950 graduate of East High.  It was then, where she was given the nickname “Red” because of her beautiful red hair.  She remained friends, throughout her life, with many classmates and Alumni, and enjoyed the reunions celebrated with life long friends.

Lois loved to tell the story of how she cut school to see Frank Sinatra perform. He was her favorite entertainer of all time, (along with the local Gigilos), Her family made sure that in her final days, Frank’s music was playing in her room.

From high school, well in to her very late 70’s, she held various positions as a bookkeeper, payroll specialist, and accounting clerk.

Always hard working, especially during tax seasons, she was a devoted employee to several corporations.  Her work ethic was admirable, and a great example to her daughter, Jen.

As a young mother, she had an open door policy to everyone, including her family, friends, daughters friends, and her mother’s friends.

It was during that time, that she certainly “adopted” Joyce, Ron, and so many others as her family, which have remained throughout her lifetime. “Friends are the family you choose.”  There are too many “adopted” families to mention.

If shopping can be termed as a hobby, that was Lois’s favorite.  There wasn’t a mall she didn’t meet.  She loved to bake, and share it with others.  A talented Crafter, we will remember the many beautiful items she created over the years.  Trips to the Casino were always welcomed.

In earlier years, her love of entertaining and decorating with a special flair, taught all of us, the importance of a well planned party with all of the extras.  With her family,  Poker Games, lasting up to 3 days around the clock at times, were some of her favorite memories. Until her last year of life, a day didn’t pass without Lois completing the Plain Dealer crossword puzzle.  In the past several years, Friday night dinners, ISDA functions, and just being with her closest friends was what she looked forward to the most.  Her home of the past 20+ years brought her happy memories as she met new friends and enjoyed volunteering.

Above all things, family meant the most to her.  As an only child, she cherished the closeness of Aunts, Uncles, and many beloved Cousins, and the times they shared.

Holidays, even the less significant ones, had to be celebrated.  As a child, her Father taught her that Sundays were family days, and she enforced that tradition as much as she could.

Jennifer’s marriage to Tony, provided her with a son-in-law that treated her like a queen.  When her granddaughter, Jill, was born, she was the light of her life, doted on her, and used her favorite pastime of shopping, to lavish her with unending gifts.  Jill and “Gram”

shared similar traits, and agreed to disagree on many occasions.

However, her latest and greatest joys were the gifts of Noelle, Kyle, and Carmel that Jill and Steve shared with her.  Lois beamed with pride when Steve’s son Kyle, joined our family.  She adored him, he was the grandson she had always hoped for. In her eyes, he could do no wrong. Furry granddog, Carmel was too, the recipient of many gifts, they shared a special bond.  Great grandma “LoLo” to Noelle, brought her much happiness from the moment she arrived.  LoLo was obsessed and printed every picture possible, from the internet, to show and brag about her every move. (No patience to wait for professional photos.)

As fiery as her natural red hair, Lois was feisty and strong willed.

She lived her life on her terms.  Extremely independent, stern, and very opinionated.  She was attractive, intelligent, and a pretty sharp dresser, always, with matching jewelry.

She will be missed and remembered for her great love of family and close friends.  Those that she cared for, she cared deeply.