Remembering Hugh Mathis
Posted on January 29th, 2011 by David
Everybody at Hell in a Handbag is mourning the loss of Handbag Board Member Hugh Mathis who passed away within the past few days. Hugh was a Board Member from the inception of Hell in a Handbag Productions and a strong Handbag supporter. We were introduced to Hugh when many of us us were with Sweetback Productions through his friend Steve Hickson, former Handbag ensemble member and co-founder of HIAH Productions. Hugh helped Hell in a Handbag tremendously with his fundraising knowledge and was a genuinely kind person. He will be missed. Hugh was 41. More details will be shared as we know them.
Filed under: News Items
Mathis, Hugh Andrew age 41, of Chicago, formerly from Waukegan, IL, died suddenly while on vacation in southern California. He was born on Sunday, December 7, 1969 at Saint Bernardine’s Catholic Hospital In San Bernardino, CA, to his parents Richard L. and Helen J. (Bosnak) Mathis of Gurnee, IL. Baptism took place at Immaculate Conception Church in Colton, CA. He graduated from Waukegan West High School in 1987 and from Lake Forest College in 1992, with a degree in Art History. During college, he did fund raising and event planning for the college, to supplement his tuitlon. When the opportunity came up for internships at the Art Institute of Chicago, he hoped he’d be able to pursue his art interests, but he was redirected to fund raising and his legacy was born. Hugh was a successful fund raising Director of Development, at the Resurrection Development Foundation at Resurrection Health Care in Chicago. A.K.A. ‘Mr. Bowtie’ for his varied HAND tied bows. He held similar positions at the Museum of Science and Industry, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Loyola Medical Center, all in the Chicago area and The Cradle in Evanston, IL. He attended many black tie events in Chicago, connected with his position, coming in contact with various dignitaries of the city. His donated time and creative and financial expertise to various entities in Chicago and was held in high regard. Travel, art exhibits and architecture were some of the things he loved to do. Nephews Andrew and Nicholas were a main focus of his, watching them grow up and being an integral part of their lives as ‘Uncle Hugh’ and sharing family time with his brother Ted and sister-In-law Tricia. Ironically, Hugh, brother Ted and nephew Andrew shared birthdays in the 1st week of December. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Henry (Andro’) S. Bosnak Sr., paternal grandfather, Burnell Hughey Mathis, both of which his names are gleaned from; his paternal grandmother, Mary Jane (Mathls) Farris and his paternal aunt, Mary F. (Mathis) (Hampson) Keefe. He leaves behind his parents, Richard L. and Helen J. (Bosnak) Mathis; brother, Ted M. (Tricia A. Salmi) Mathis, their sons, his beloved nephews, Andrew Nillo and Nicholas Oiva Mathis; his paternal aunt, Sharon (Mathis) (Hampson) Noble (husband Mark) and grandmother Mary Ann Bosnak and many other relatives and friends locally and around the country. Wake services will be handled through Peterson & Patch Funeral Home, 408 N. Sheridan Rd., Waukegan, IL, on Sunday, February 6, 2011, from 3p.m. to 8p.m. Funeral Mass, Officiated by Father Martin Zielinski, will be at The Church of Saint Patrick, 15000 Wadsworth Rd., Wadsworth, IL, at 10a.m., preceded by visitation at the church from 9a.m. until 10a.m. Interment will follow to Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations in Hugh A. Mathis’ memory may be made in his name to the PKD Foundation (Polycystic Kidney Disease) 8330 Ward Parkway, Suite 510, Kansas City, MO 64114. Arrangements are under the direction of PETERSON & PATCH Funeral Home, 847-623-0495.
Hugh was a great friend and travel companion. We met many years ago when Hugh was in Mobile, AL on business. He visited my partner and me in Kansas City back in the fall. We visited the Nelson-Atkins and the Kemper, ate very well, shopped at Halls, danced, and had a fabulous weekend. I will miss his fabulous fashion sense, his institutional history of department stores, and his wicked sense of humor. Rest in Peace dear friend.