Lygia (Barcelo) Matta

Dr. Lygia (Barcelo) Matta, 85, of East Hartford, loving wife of 63 years of Dr. Carlos R. Matta, peacefully journeyed home to be with our Lord in Heaven on Sunday, June 25, 2017. Born in Cayey, Puerto Rico on September 8, 1931, a daughter of the late Antonio and Josefa (Gonzalez) Barcelo-Romaguera, she had been a resident of East Hartford for the past five years. Prior to her retirement, she was employed for many years as a Chemist by the U.S. Federal Government with the F.D.A. and E.P.A. Dr. Matta was a devout Catholic who was a faithful communicant of St. Rose Church, East Hartford where she enjoyed attending Youth Group dinners. She cherished her volunteer work at the Little Flower School in Bethesda, MD. She also liked playing and listening to the piano, taking walks with her granddaughters, shopping, and her favorite sandwiches of tuna fish, egg, and olives. Dr. Matta loved traveling and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. But most of all, Lygia will be remembered by those who knew her as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and a best friend.

Lygia will be looking down from Heaven on her surviving husband, Carlos; three sons, Antonio “Tony” J. Matta and his wife, Aileen, of East Hartford with whom she made her home, Carlos G. Matta and his wife, Cynthia, of Dover, NH, Jorge N. Matta of Duncansville, PA; two daughters, Lygia C. Matta-Barcelo and her husband, Wayne Rossignol, of Hamilton, NJ, Ana J. Matta of Rockville, MD; three adored grandchildren, Antonio, Veronica, and Catherine Matta; several nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Along with her parents she was predeceased by a brother, Antonio Barcelo.

Funeral service will be Thursday (June 29, 2017) at 9 am from the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at St. Rose Church, 33 Church Street, East Hartford. Entombment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday (June 28, 2017) from 5-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Lygia’s name may be made to St. Rose Church, c/o 15 Maplewood Avenue, East Hartford, CT 06108. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.