Obituary of Matilda H. Stavinoha

Matilda Helen Stavinoha was born on June 27, 1921, in East Bernard, TX, to Alois Srubar and Anna Andel Srubar. She was the 7^th of 11 children, with the baby before her and the baby after her dying at birth.  Growing up, Matilda, along with her brothers and sisters, helped to pick cotton on the farm, while she attended school and received an 8^th grade education. On May 9, 1943 Matilda married James Henry Stavinoha, at Fort Ord in California, during World War II.  Matilda always loved children, traveling to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with the Lee family as their nanny.  Her family remembers her stories of sharing letters from James with the Lee’s, eagerly waiting for the war to end and James to come home.  After the war they ended up in Houston, Texas where they raised a family of five children to include Harvey, Yvonne, Agatha, Gregory and Annette.  In 1965, they moved to Pearland, Texas.  James passed away April 8, 1968 prior to their 25^th anniversary, leaving Matilda, at the age of 47, to raise three children still at home.  Being determined and hardworking, Matilda found work at Crespo’s Restaurant in Pearland, where she worked while Agatha, Gregory and Annette were still in school.  After school she was home with the children and would take care of Trey and Teresa Crespo.  Later she found work with Pearland ISD, working in the cafeteria, never asking for help and always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.  In three words – live, laugh and love- you could describe Matilda.  She was a Mom to many.  When Annette was in high school and had missed a lot of days of school due to her health, Matilda went to night school with Annette where they both earned their GED.  When all the children were grown and on their own, Matilda would go on to take care of other children, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Matilda is survived by her children Harvey and wife, Georgina, Yvonne and husband, Dennis, Agatha and husband, Bill, Gregory and wife, Sabrina, fourteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, one brother, Wilfred and wife, MaryAnn and numerous nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James, daughter, Annette, brothers, Frank, Louis, Andrew; and sisters, Martha, Bessie, Mary and Anne; and a host of other family and dear friends.

Although she is truly missed on earth, there is a celebration in heaven with our Lord and family who has preceded her in death.  After 50 years, Matilda is finally reunited with her husband, James.  A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 10:00 am at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581 with Trey Crespo officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made in Matilda’s honor to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.