Mangum (Fried), Matilda (Tillie), – 86, of Toms River, died on September 29, 2021, after a long illness. Born February 16, 1935 in Jersey City, NJ, after her father joined the WPA in western New York, NJ, during the Great Depression. She grew up on farms in Englishtown and on Indian Hill Road. at Toms River. Matilda survived tetanus as a child, she hid in a haystack in the barn, she was having fun with her brother and he was stabbing the hay with a pitchfork trying to find her, putting it in her leg . As a young child, she also survived a house fire. They managed to recover some of their belongings which they put in the barn. The next night the barn burned down. She attended a one-class school from an early age and eventually graduated from Toms River High School. Mathilde and her siblings worked many summers in the blueberry fields to earn money to buy school shoes and clothes. So, she grew up poor, always knowing what hard work was, always being thrifty. Mathilde had a good heart and always sent money to help those who had nothing. She has always had a love for art. While in high school, she could be seen painting murals in October in shops in downtown Toms River with her friend Ann Lane. She honed her artistic skills under the guidance of her mentor William Kalwick. She continued to paint until a few years ago, specializing in portraits. She retired from Fort Monmouth as a graphic artist. She has spent many summers with her family in Vermont. She loved camping and the outdoors. She enjoyed collecting antiques, especially antique dolls, and frequented auctions, garage sales and flea markets. Matilda married Thomas Mangum in 1953. She was a loving mother and grandmother who always loved her family above all else. She was predeceased by her parents Joel and Katharina Fried, siblings Frank Werner, Katherine Geary, Hannah Willette, Martha Jackson, Hubert Fried, Rose Marie Fried, Esther Fried and Peter Fried. She is survived by her son Michael T. Mangum and daughter-in-law Carla Maria Mangum of Parkertown, NJ, son David W. Mangum and daughter-in-law Karen Mangum of Stafford, VA., Brother Joel Fried of Manchester, NJ , grandchildren Michael Bryce and Sarah Anne Mangum and her nieces and nephews. Visitations will be on Monday, October 4, 2021 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, October 5 from 9:30 to 10 a.m., with service at 10 a.m., at WOOD FUNERAL HOME, 134 EAST MAIN ST., TUCKERTON, NJ L interment to follow at Miller Cemetery, New Gretna, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse. For condolences and more information, visit www.woodfuneralhomeinc.com.