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BORN

1939

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Cook-Walden Funeral Home

6100 North Lamar

Austin, Texas

Eloisa MATTHEWS Obituary

MATTHEWS, Eloisa Almendarez Eloisa Almendarez Matthews, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, counselor and friend, died at the age of 78 on February 5, 2018 in Austin after fighting multiple illnesses in recent years. Despite the toll her many health challenges took, she remained joyful and sought meaningful connections with the many people in her life. She was born on July 11, 1939 near Port Lavaca, Texas. At 17, she moved to Houston, where she became a long-time resident, to earn a nursing degree. In the years that followed, she became a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse, earned a Masters in Psychology, and became a Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist to further her life's work of helping countless people and families in inpatient and outpatient therapeutic settings battle and heal from addiction. She had a significant presence in the AA community of Houston and maintained a private practice well into her 70s. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maria De Jesus Olivarez Almendarez Brise?o and Martin Almendarez, Sr., and stepfather, Manuel G. Brise?o, Jr.; sister, Grace Cumpian; former spouse, Dr. Glenn B. Matthews and their babies they lost. She is survived by her daughter, Jessica Matthews Charbeneau, "like a son" son-in-law, Ryan P. Charbeneau, and her adored grandchildren, Henry and Quinn Charbeneau of Austin; her sisters, Sara Almendarez, Lydia Brise?o, and Ana Valenzuela of Victoria, and Ester Ybarra of Katy; her brothers, Martin Almendarez, Jr. of Victoria, Valentin Almendarez of San Marcos, Vidal Brise?o of Conroe, and Elias Brise?o of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be missed by the many people she touched. May the gifts of love and acceptance she gave remain with them always, and may her generosity of spirit inspire us all to live with an open and forgiving heart. We give special thanks to the many health care providers and staff at St. David's North Austin Medical Center, Cornerstone Hospital of Austin and Brookdale Spicewood Springs Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living, who cared for her with loving compassion and respect. Funeral services are provided by Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752, (512)-454-5611. A rosary will be recited in Austin on Monday, March 5, 12:30 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive, with a Memorial Mass at 1:00 pm and reception to follow. A second Memorial will be held in Houston, April 14th, 2:30 pm at Memorial Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center (PARC), 3043 Gessner.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Austin American-Statesman on Feb. 25, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Eloisa MATTHEWS

Sponsored by Cook-Walden Funeral Home.

Not sure what to say?





Kim Van Slyke

September 30, 2019

I miss Loyce so much. I continue to have a photo of the two of us on my nightstand so I see her every morning and night. Her presence, even in a photo, gives me strength. Heaven is lucky to have this precious soul but I wish she was still on this earth.

Elly Pourasef

March 26, 2019

Still miss u and think about you all the time Loyce.

Visiting in ATX

Elly Pourasef

March 18, 2018

The 5 musketeers

Elly Pourasef

March 18, 2018

Elly Pourasef

March 18, 2018

Loyce,
It goes without saying how much you're missed and going forward how much you will continue to be missed. I have so many fond memories of you and with you and how we shared practically the same workspace (and the drama that ensued!!) for over six years. Everywhere I went you followed (and visa versa)- it was so nice having each other's backs and being in such close proximity when we both worked such long hours and late nights. You truly cared about everybody who you came across and I know that your patients are really going to miss you. It was hard watching you give up your practice due to your health but at the same time you were so excited to spend more quality time with Jessica, Ryan, Henry, and Quinn in Austin. I know you're no longer in pain but you sure left an impression on a lot of people around you and we are really going to miss you. The "musketeers" are not the same without you. Love you my sweet friend. -Elly Pourasef

Theresa Ecolango

February 26, 2018

Love you Loyce. Miss you. Thank you for everything you have done for me; for always being there for me to listen to about work, family, life. Thank you for working with me. I hope I make you proud of what I have learned from you. You are a very loving person to all you meet. You made this world a better place. One less angel on earth. Rest in peace my dear friend.

The FTD Loving Light Dishgarden

Theresa Ecolango

Sent Flowers

Familia Amaya

February 26, 2018

Nuestra sinceras condolencias a la familia de la Sra. Eloisa Matthew, y deseamos compartir el consuelo de la palabra de Dios que a nosotros personalmente nos a consolado mucho cuando hemos pasado por esos difíciles momentos. El saber que ya no están sufriendo sino que están descansando como dice Eclesiástica 9 versículo 5 y esperando para una resurrección como dice en Hechos 24 versículo 15 eso nos da la esperanza de que volveremos a ver a nuestros seres queridos que han muerto.Por fabor leer los textos en su biblia, gracias.

Ester Ybarra

February 26, 2018

You made me feel special when I spent summer school vacation with you.You made me feel special when you bought school clothes for me.You made me feel special when you encouraged me to take a sewing class and helped me get my first job. You made me feel special when you took me to see the Beatles and put up with all my shrieking.You made me feel special when you were involved in my young daughters life.You made me feel special during the bad and good times. I have always felt special because I was blessed to have a sister like you.

Alicia Briggs

February 25, 2018

Thank you for the light you brought to this world. You are forever loved and missed.

Alicia Briggs

February 24, 2018

Dearest Loyce,
Words do not exist to express how special you are and how much you helped me change my life. When I met you, I could hardly walk and was in so much pain. Physically and emotionally crippled, I contemplated entering the world of hiking and backpacking with much hesitation and doubt. All others in my life told me I couldn't do these things. However YOU, Loyce, told me I could do anything. With your help and your belief in my abilities, I felt empowered and supported. Because of your faith in me, I successfully hiked the 2,268 mile long Pacific Crest Trail two years in a row, as you cheered me on every step of the way. My entire life changed for the better. You were and will always be my guiding light, helping me to move forward and grow deeper with every step. You are the center of what helped change me for the better. Your guidance, love, acceptance, and sincere friendship have meant everything to me. Thank you for helping me find the right path, for giving me courage to grow and also fail, and for simply being in my life. I have learned from watching you and your own battles with health, that anything is possible and that I can still help others without limit as you set this example in your life. You will be with me always. I miss you terribly and love you even more. My thoughts, heart, and love extend to your family as they must be aching for just one more of your warm hugs as I also long to hug you one more time. I love you Loyce. Thank you for all you have done here on Earth. I miss you.

John Stippick

February 24, 2018

I was blessed to have known Loyce. She provided me with safe, thoughtful, loving care. During one of the most difficult times of life, Loyce was there with her gentle (and sometime strong) but always loving guidance. Her memory will always be a blessing!

Cindy Gerbino

February 23, 2018

My deepest sympathy Jessica, Ryan, Quinn, Henry and your family. Loyces sharing of you all makes me feel like Ive personally met you. She loved her family so, and so proud sharing Stories about what Henry and Quinn were involved in, at the time. Loyces loving spirit, kind and generous heart, touched my heart. No matter how bad she was feeling in session, she lifted me up and told exactly what I had to do. Bless her heart and my homework had better be done. It saddened me when Loyce needed to move from Houston and be with her family with her health problems. Loyce will be deeply missed, but forever in my heart. Love ❤ you Loyce- youre always in my prayers and thoughts. Blessings and may God bring your family peace.

Marcia Francis

February 23, 2018

Rest In Peace Mrs. Matthews. Thanks for the great relationship we developed with you. The 4 East staff will miss you dearly. ❤

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results

Make a Donation
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Memorial Events
for Eloisa MATTHEWS

Mar

5

Rosary

12:30 p.m.

St. Theresa Catholic Church

4311 Small Drive, TX

Mar

5

Memorial Mass

1:00 p.m.

St. Theresa Catholic Church

4311 Small Drive, TX

Apr

14

Memorial service

2:30 p.m.

Memorial Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center

3043 Gessner, TX

Funeral services provided by:

Cook-Walden Funeral Home

6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752

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