PONTIAC - Rosalind Mathias Reed, 70, of Pontiac passed away from Melanoma cancer on Friday (Oct. 25, 2013) at her home while surrounded by her loving family.

Her service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church, Pontiac. Dr. Rev. Ray Owens and the Rev. Gretchen Stinebaugh will officiate.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

Rosalind was born Sept. 17, 1943, in Peoria, to Russell D. and Alma Lamont Mathias. Russell moved the family from the farming community in the Toulan area to Deer Grove, where Roz was raised on a farm. Rosalind graduated from Tampico High School and continued on to Illinois State University, Normal, graduating with a master's degree in English.

Roz married the love of her life, Homer M. Reed of Pontiac, on Sept. 10, 1966. Together they raised a wonderful family that will miss her very much.

Her love of teaching began as a child, knowing she always wanted to be a teacher. And so it began as she taught English, French and speech at Cornell High School for 21 years. She was a class sponsor and directed several plays for Cornell High School.

As if she did not think that was enough, she began another teaching career at the Illinois Department of Corrections in Dwight, retiring in December 2011.

Anticipation for the Christmas holiday would begin with Roz making awesome holiday decorated cookies on her pizza trays and with great joy, both she and Homer would deliver them to both businesses and friends throughout Livingston County. The holidays were always a great family fun time at grandma's house.

Everyone who knew Rosalind knew she was active. Homer and Roz traveled all over the country to the world's fair, cruises, horse shows, farm shows and county fairs. If there was a good auction, she was there with Homer and her grandchildren buying up those antiques, dishes, crocks and quilts.

She loved to read, watch movies, along with being an avid gardener. Roz was very active in the First United Methodist Church, especially the tutoring program. She also enjoyed her time with her family and friends. Roz lived her life to the fullest for not only Homer, but for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rosalind always believed in what she said and was always a very straight-forward person. Her memory will continue on through all of those who knew her. She made you laugh, smile and learn.

She is survived by her loving husband, Homer; their children, Timothy Reed, Stronghurst; Jeanna (Paul) Huette, Pontiac; Rory (Carlene) Reed, Kuwait; Rita (Jim) Hoch, Safety Harbor, Fla.; and Lisa Reed Walker, Fairbury; her awesome dog, Snookie Bear Angel; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; one brother, Russell Mathias, Rockford; and one sister, Emily Garlock Dickenson, Ankeny, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; one brother, Monte Mathias; and brother-in-law, William Dickenson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to honor her memory to the St. Jude Foundation or First United Methodist Church of Pontiac.

A special thank you to Vitas Hospice, her special nurse, Dawn, and all the staff that was so kind.