Honoria Matava

Nora was born April 2, 1925 in Rockchapel, County Cork, Ireland to John and Katy Collins. Her ambitious drive to develop a career in nursing prompted her to travel to London during WWII to train at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital. Nora impressed on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that “education is the one thing in life that no one can ever take away from you.” Educational empowerment is an important part of how she lived her life and part of a lasting legacy.

In 1949 Nora traveled to New York and began a successful career as a nurse. There she met her future husband Stephen “Joe” Matava at a CYO dance. They were married at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on June 21, 1952. Nora took pride in being a mother, wife and a member of her community. Nora was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Joseph, her brothers; John, Paddy, Ned and Tim, and her sister Catherine. She will be laid to rest next to her husband and her son, at Sunset Hills Memorial Park. She is survived by her 5 children Kathleen Doran and her husband Tim, John Matava, Mary Matava, Tim Matava and his wife Lori, Patricia Clusserath and her husband Gary; 9 grandchildren, Sarah, Michael, Stephen, Claire, Bridget, Carly, Andrew, Lillian, and William; and 2 great-grandchildren Aislin and Griffin.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, June 17, 2016 at Sunset Hills Memorial Park. Our family would like to express our deepest thanks for the wonderful help and loving care given to Nora by her friends during her final stages of life. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the Nora Matava Nursing Scholarship at Bellevue College, Attn: Paul Feavel-Foundation, Finance, and Planned Giving, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, #A101, Bellevue, WA 98007. Cherished memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.sunsethillsfuneralhome.com