DINA MATTHEWS

1950 - 2016

MATTHEWS, Dina "Lila" 65, of Ventura, CA, passed away at Community Memorial Hospital on September 22, 2016. Dina was born on October 9th, 1950 in El Salvador and immigrated to Boston, MA in the 1970's. She lived in New England for 21 years before moving to California. She devoted her life to helping others working as a hospital nutritionist, as a nutritionist for Women Infant and Children (WIC), as an ESL educator, and as a child life specialist and coordinator for Child Development Resource Center (CDRC). She was also a community activist and most recently, committed to helping families in need find housing as a realtor in Ventura County. She was a creative soul, a world traveler, an avid gardener and loved nothing more than cooking for her family and friends. Dina was most proud of her role as a mother. She was a devoted and loving parent, and a caring and humble spirit--her loss will be mourned by many. She is survived by her two daughters, Suzzanna and Lauri Matthews of California, her former husband Stephen Matthews, her six sisters and five brothers, her two goddaughters Lily and Maggie, several nieces and nephews and dozens of friends she considered her family. The vigil service will be held at the Chapman Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, 74 Algonquin Ave. (Rte 151), MASHPEE, MA, on Friday, September 30, 2016, from 4-8pm. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at 10:00am at the Parish of Christ the King Mashpee, MA. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In her memory, donations can be made to pkdcure.org and stjude.org.