Grace Anastasia Mathew: April 8, 1996 – May 28, 2020

Grace Anastasia Mathew (aka, Gracie Berkley) was born on April 8, 1996. She grew up in Langley on Whidbey Island, Wash.

She loved everything about nature, animals, the ocean, and had a special ability to connect with all of God’s creatures. She attended Island Christian Academy, South Whidbey High School, and the Skagit Valley Community College running start program. She was involved in Dance, and performed in the Whidbey Island Dance Theater Nutcracker, and was on the SWHS Tennis team.

In 2014, she moved to Hawaii and attended Windward Community College, where she enjoyed being the editor of Ka ‘Ohana, the award-winning student newspaper. While in Hawaii and going to college, Gracie worked at Island Divers, where she was able to get multiple dive certifications and became a master diver. She graduated from Windward Community College, did some professional modeling, and was named Miss HIN (Hot Import Nights) Honolulu in 2017. She traveled across the United States working for Hot Import Nights to help produce multiple auto show events, while also representing Honolulu as Miss HIN. She loved Hawaii and had always planned to return “home to her Ohana” after finishing college.

In the winter of 2017, Gracie moved to Southern California, where she continued to work and help produce Hot Import Nights events, as well as continue her education at Orange Coast College.

Gracie had her favorite verse tattooed on her wrist — Proverbs 31:25 Strength and Honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in times to come.

We know that she is rejoicing in heaven and we look forward to the day we will be reunited.

She leaves behind her siblings, Eli, Faith and Isabella Mathew; parents, Brock and Theresa Jenkins; father, Dr. Jake Mathew; grandmothers, Carolyn Wallace and Marilyn West; and numerous aunties, uncles, cousins, and many dear and wonderful friends. She is deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She passed away unexpectedly as we thought her battle with COVID was over. She had been very ill for several weeks before and after her 24th birthday. Her fever was gone, but she continued to have inflammation, fatigue, and she was struggling to gain her strength. Sadly, her body was not strong enough to endure the impact of the illness and she passed away on May 28.

When we cleaned out her apartment, she had made a three-layer cake with bright blue turquoise frosting and she had a very large piece of cake sitting on her bed that she had been eating. She was eating cake and hanging out with her best friend, Alice the rabbit, in her last hours, which makes us smile. Gracie loved her rabbit, Alice, fresh strawberries, apple pie, all things Hawaii, pineapples, diving, spaghetti and meatballs, popcorn, snickerdoodles, baking, her family, and all of God’s creatures. Her kindness and beautiful heart will be carried with us forever.

We are so Thankful that Jesus died on the cross for all of our sins. We know we will see her again in Heaven. Rest in peace, dear sweet daughter. Love you to the moon and back, forever and always, our dearest Grace Anastasia Mathew.

Please join us in celebrating Gracie’s life at 4 p.m. Pacific Time, Aug. 22. This service will be virtual so you can participate from anywhere. The link to Gracie’s memorial service can be found at https://www.gatheringus.com/memorial/grace-anastasia-mathew/4397

If you would like to join in person, there is limited space, so please send an email request to BrockandTheresa@gmail.com

Our family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.