Virginia Therese Matar

FORT WORTH - Virginia Therese Matar, 94, passed away peacefully at her home Wednesday morning, June 14, 2023.
Virginia was born Nov. 25, 1928, in Houston, Texas, the fourth of eight children, to the late Joseph and Marie Khaled. She attended Dominican High School in Galveston, Texas. During high school she worked in the fruit stand that her father operated. Upon her graduation in 1945, she attended one year of business school prior to accepting a job with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in the Galveston District Office.
She worked as a personnel specialist for the Corps of Engineers in Galveston for five years before moving to Fort Worth in 1950 when the Corps opened the Fort Worth District Office. While living in Fort Worth, Virginia enjoyed traveling to various destinations with her girlfriends.
Virginia worked an additional 13 years before meeting her husband, Charlie Matar in 1963. They were married December 28 of that year. After marriage, she left the Corps to raise a family. Virginia and Charlie were together for 28 years before Charlie's passing in April 1992.
Virginia was an active member of the St. Patrick's Alter Society and the Holy Family Women's Circle for many years. Her devotion to St. Patrick's led her to take a volunteer position in the Parish Office after her husband's passing that transitioned to a full-time job. She worked for St. Patrick's for 12 years from 1993 to 2005.
Virginia found joy in life's simple pleasures: gardening, cooking, reading, and spending quality time with her family. Virginia had a particular knack for Lebanese cooking, a skill she inherited from her mother and Charlie's aunt. She excelled in preparing flavorful Lebanese dishes, showcasing her culinary expertise and love for her cultural heritage. Virginia took great pride in passing down this cherished cooking tradition to her children and grandchildren, ensuring that the family's culinary legacy continues to thrive.
She was always positive, happy, welcoming and her hospitality, was second to none. Christmas was a particularly special time for her, as she would host the families on Christmas evening. It became a cherished tradition for each family to take their annual Christmas picture in front of her and Charlie's beautifully adorned Christmas tree. Virginia embodied the true servant spirit.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Matar; brother, Edward Khaled and sister-in-in-law, Harriet Khaled; sister, Evelyn Khaled Stokley and brother-in-law, Milton Stokley; sister, Catherine Khaled; sister, Doris Khaled Lanie and brother-in-law, Bob Lanie; brother, Joseph Khaled, Jr. and sister, Elaine Khaled Bettinger.
She is survived by her sister, Joyce Khaled Grady and brother-in-law, Ed Grady; brother-in-law, Frank Bettinger and sister-in-law, Barbara Khaled; sons, Peter Matar and Stephen Matar; grandchildren, Charlie Matar, Matthew Matar, Isabella Matar and Sophia Matar; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Virginia will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving sister, wife, mother and grandmother.