Tracy Mathews

Creative, talented, beautiful, and loving are just a few words to describe the incomparable Tracy (Poston) Mathews.  Tracy died peacefully on Tuesday, March 5^th after her most courageous battle with cancer.  Her illness did not win, but rather Tracy chose to be an angel and loving guardian from above, for all of the people she loves.

Born on June 1^st, 1969 in Davenport, Iowa – Tracy was the oldest of four sisters, whom were also some of her best friends.  Her joys were pure.  She loved the sun in her face, baking, sitting poolside with friends, making arts and crafts, listening to ’70s music, enjoying a fruity cocktail… and her truest joy of all, being with her husband and children.  

Tracy had a lifelong passion for music and graduated from Cornell College with a double major in music and elementary education.  She began her teaching career at Mount Vernon Elementary School as a fourth-grade teacher, and spent the next 32 years as a beloved elementary school teacher within the Davenport Community School District.  Tracy was committed to being the best teacher she could be. In that pursuit, she achieved her master’s degree from Drake University.  She was the one, always encouraging her students to dance and sing, to play instruments, to make learning fun and to see the classroom as a place where kids wanted to be.  There is not a single student who didn’t love Mrs. Mathews with all of their heart. 

Tracy married her high school sweetheart – Manny Mathews on June 27^th, 1992.   Manny was her one and only, and she – his.  Their love for each other was intense, only dwarfed by the love embodied for their children – Michael and Ellie.  The four of them were known for family productions with Tracy at the piano, with Manny on the guitar and their children’s beautiful voices providing the vocals.  Tracy’s world revolved around her family, including the whole Carlin clan, the Postons, the Volantes and Longneckers, Yia Yia and numerous close friends, all of which whom she considered “family.”  

Tracy’s world was enriched by friends and co-workers, and once her friend – always her friend; this is evident in the length of her friendships, having so many from elementary school all the way through college and beyond.  Always with a smile on her face, to know Tracy was to love Tracy.  The members of her fan club include the teachers and administrators she worked with, neighbors, friends and friends of friends, and the list goes on.  

Tracy’s life will be celebrated at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home on Saturday, March 9^th from 2:00–5:00 pm, with a brief prayer shared at 4:30 pm.  In true Tracy spirit, feel free to wear your favorite ’70s outfit – as she has requested a disco ball, ’70s music, and the sharing of stories with laughter and love at her celebration.   

Tracy is survived by her husband Manny, children Michael and Ellie, parents Bev (Jim) Marti and Terry Poston; sisters Shelly (Tom) Linehan, Nicole Hagen, and Natalea Poston; stepsister Kris (Mike) Vieger; stepbrother Brian (Kelly) Marti; mother-in-law Nancy Mathews; sisters-in-laws Maria (Dave) Volante and Georgette (Ted) Longnecker; as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and many other family friends. 

The family would like to thank the entire University of Iowa Health Care Oncology team, the wonderful staff at Clarissa Cook Hospice, and Dr. Steven Aguilar.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Eisenhower Elementary School PTA.  Checks can be made payable to Eisenhower PTA, or through Venmo at @Eisenhower-PTA.  

Creative, talented, beautiful, and loving – that is our Tracy.