She was known as “Pepper,” a name that suited her perfectly: Laura Mathews, a former Army WAC and long-time activist and volunteer, didn’t mince words.

The police department had other nicknames for her, too: the Energizer Bunny, the Iron Maiden and the Iron Rose.

“I never heard her make an excuse about anything,” Chief Robert Luna said of Mathews, who was still participating in the Senior Police Partners program into her mid-90s. “She will always inspire me.”

Mathews, who was involved in numerous city causes, died Friday at age 96. The chief and others plan to be at her funeral next week, and the department sent out condolences on social media, with pictures showing her wide smile—and, of course, giving the chief a kiss.

“She told me once, ‘You know how many chiefs I’ve kissed?’” Luna said.

Seven, to be exact. She was among the longest-serving members of the Senior Police Partners, a volunteer group that helps train seniors on crime prevention and safety, among other duties.

Mathews, who lived in Long Beach since 1970, also served as a translator (she spoke five languages), she was a member of the department’s K-9 Association Board of Directors and its Senior Advisory Group.

She also lobbied for more city parks, donated time and money to Long Beach City College, and even convinced officials at the senior center to keep selling coffee for 50 cents rather than bring in a Starbucks.

In her career, Mathews worked at the Department of Public Social Services. Before that, she served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1944, working as an aircraft electrician.

At a party last year marking her 95th birthday and 35th year of service to the police department, officials presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a pink Energizer Bunny.

“I can’t think of anything that describes her better,” Luna said this week. “I’m going to miss seeing her walk into the room.”

Mathews’ husband, Eugene, preceded her in death in 1989, as well as her son, John Mathews, who died in 2014. She is survived by a daughter, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on April 11 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 5100 E. Broadway. A celebration of her life will follow immediately at the Long Beach Yacht Club, 6201 E. Appian Way.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to:

Melissa Evans is the Chief Executive Officer of the Long Beach Post and Long Beach Business Journal. Reach her at [email protected], @melissaevansLBP or 562-512-6354.