Susan F. Mathews, Ph.D., of Dalton, died Wednesday in the Hospice Community Care Center, after an illness. Her husband is Edward Mathews, Ph.D.
Born Oct. 7, 1958, in Portland, Maine, she was the daughter of June Marquis Fournier and the late Norman Fournier of Maine. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College and master’s and doctoral degrees in Biblical studies from Catholic University of America. She was a professor of theology at the University of Scranton. She began her career at the university in 1988 and earned tenure in 1993. She became a full professor in 2000. In 1991, she was awarded the University of Scranton Alpha Sigma Nu Award for Teaching, the first woman to receive the award. In 1996, she became the first director of the Catholic studies program, a program she founded. She was a regular consultant to the Diocese of Scranton and was also the RCIA director at St. Peter’s Cathedral for many years. She was a member of Nativity B.V.M. Church, Tunkhannock. She and her husband, Ed, were members of the Capuchin 3rd Order. She enjoyed running, gardening, baking and reading and especially loved her two German shepherds, Edessa and Siena.
Also surviving are five siblings, Richard Fournier and wife, Peg; Robin Fournier; Lisa Weeks; Michelle Fournier and husband, Larry Dyhrberg, and their daughters, Caroline and Annika; Olia Cobb and husband, Brad Bartlett, and their daughter, Adrianna; and numerous friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 9 a.m. in St. Peter’s Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Ave., Scranton. Friends may call Saturday, 8 until time of Mass at the cathedral. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, 910 17th St., NW, Suite 1190, Washington, DC 20006 or www.ovari ancancer.org. Arrangements by the Vanston and James Funeral Home, Scranton.