Matilde Llao Perez

Matilde “Matty” Perez was born in Havana, Cuba to Juan Castañe and Matilde Rubiera Llao. She grew up in Havana surrounded by a large, loving family and often recounted her fond memories of growing up with her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was especially close to her grandmothers Concha and Juaquina and her uncles Miguel and Chicho.

She attended high school at the American Dominican Academy in Havana and remained close to her friends and teachers over the years. She was an active alumnus and was on the planning committee for her 50th reunion in Miami, Florida.

She was a devout Catholic having been a member of a Catholic sodality in college, attending daily mass, visiting shrines and religious sites around the world, which include The Vatican, Lourdes, Fatima, the Holy Land and Santiago de Compostela.

She met her husband, Antonio Ramon Perez, while he attended the University of Havana. They were wed in a ceremony at the chapel of the Agrupación Católica Universitaria on September 22, 1956. She and Tony began their life together in Atlanta, Georgia where he completed his medical training as a vascular surgeon. They had five daughters that were born and raised in Atlanta where Matty lived for the rest of her life. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother that will be deeply missed by her family.

Her home was open and welcoming from hosting fun Cuban parties with conga lines to delicious family dinners with plenty available to invite friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She entertained them at her pool, lake house and beach house. She had drawers and cabinets filled with toys and art supplies.

As an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, she served on many groups and committees including the building committee for the current church, the Lucy Flower Guild, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home.

Her artistic talents were showcased in her bountiful garden, lovely home and the many paintings and drawings that fill her children and grandchildren’s homes today. She also contributed one of the needlepoint pillows in the Holy Spirit sanctuary and the needlepoint bible rest which was on the altar in the chapel.

Matty is pre-deceased by Tony, her husband of 66 years, and her daughter, Lulu. She is also pre-deceased by her parents Matilde and Juan Llao and her brother Juan Llao. She is survived by her daughters Mari Hobgood (Tucker), Rosie Stokes (Jim), Therese Jacobs, Marta Withers (John), her grandchildren, James Stokes (Adela), Sylvia Hobgood Bass (Scott), Emily Hobgood Jeffries (Hill), Rachel Hobgood Grantham (Thomas), Cristina Ziech-Lopez (Nick), Caroline Stokes Kleidon (Will), John Hobgood (Caitlin), Isabel Jacobs Wind (Zane), William Jacobs, Grace Withers Burland (Jack), Michael Withers, Frances Stokes, and Ben Withers. Her great grandchildren are Ruth, Rose, Wren, Rhea, Regina, Rex, and Rafael Bass; Joanna and Shepherd Jeffries, Mia and Clara Hobgood, Elysia Stokes, Aurelia and Sofia Ziech-Lopez, Cecilia and Melanie Wind.

The Perez family is grateful for the loving and dedicated staff at Heartis Buckhead and Agape Hospice Care.

A mass of the Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Chapel. Reception to follow in McDonough Hall. 4465 Northside Drive, NW Atlanta, GA 30327.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lucy Guild or Amelia Mary Memorial Garden at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

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