Beverly Mathews, the mother of University of Toledo redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Mathews, passed away Tuesday morning following a long battle with cancer. She was 46.

A resident of Walbridge, Mrs. Mathews was active in the athletic boosters club at Lake High School, where her son was the quarterback before joining the Rockets as a walk-on last season.

In a feature about her son that ran in The Blade in August, Mrs. Mathews discussed her battle with cancer after being diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in January, 2009.

“You appreciate life more,” Mrs. Mathews said. “You never take anything for granted. You just never know.”

Michael Mathews is sitting out this season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during preseason practices, but he has still been an active member of the team, according to coach Tim Beckman.

“On behalf of the entire Rocket Football family, we extend our deepest condolences to Mike and his family,” Beckman said in a statement. “Mike is a part of our football family, so anytime someone in our family is hurting, we're all hurting. This is a very sad day for all of us.”

Mrs. Mathews is survived by her husband, Gary, who had a short stint at UT after a stellar career at Genoa, where in his three seasons as the Comets' starting quarterback the team went 26-1-1 and he set a school record with 2,155 career passing yards; daughter, Emily; and son, Michael.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 2-9pm at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home in Walbridge, with funeral services scheduled for Friday at Mainstreet Church in Walbridge.

First Published October 27, 2010, 2:28 p.m.