By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock North pitcher Kylee Nicholson kept Marengo’s offense from having a big lead, coupled with…
May 7, 2026
Autumn Lorraine Mather was born in Virginia on Oct. 3, 1975. She spent her early years living in the Tidewater area of Virginia before the family moved to Woodstock.
Following graduation from Woodstock High School, Autumn completed a bachelor’s degree with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) in English and art history from Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, Va. She completed advanced studies in London, England, at the Christie’s Graduate Program. Those programs were precursors to her taking graduate degrees master’s from the University of Chicago (Liberal Arts), and Dominican University (library acience).
For more than 20 years, Autumn was a librarian – a career she loved – where she worked at a variety of Chicago institutions. She was a reference librarian at the Newberry Library, she served as the director of the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Research Center, and was head of Research and Learning at Loyola University Libraries. She shared her love of research through both instruction and extensive publications.
In June 2003, Autumn married Michael Cardinale, after having met as classmates at the University of Chicago. They enjoyed 16 years together, sharing a passion for travel, theater, books, art, friends, food, dogs, and sports.
Autumn understood the fragility of life, and after losing her husband and best friend, Mike, she was determined to savor each day. She found happiness from treasured moments of reading, sitting with the sun on her face, walking her dogs, visiting with friends and family, even savoring a cup of tea. Her smiles and laughter will be missed.
Autumn passed on April 1, 2026. She is survived by her parents, Jim and Gay Mather; her sisters, Allegra Mather and Mavis Mather (John Collis); niece, Norah Reading, and nephew, Nico Reading’ and; her beloved dog, Mister Jackson Brodie.
Interment and a memorial reception will take place at a later date. The family requests that memorials support causes important to Autumn:
The Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Chicago Chess Foundation, The Greater Chicago Food Depository, or any pet rescue organization.