Matilde Vesely

Matilde Vesely was born March 11, 1928, in Rome, Italy and lived her 90 years as a beloved daughter, wife and mother. She lived through the Great Depression and the World War II strife in Rome. She met her future husband, Eugene, who was a soldier in the Army Air Corps, in Italy near the end of the Second World War. It must have been her beauty and his blue uniform and handsome countenance that compelled them to fall in love. After six months of dating, at the age of eighteen, Matilde was wed to Eugene in a beautiful church near the home where she grew up. About six months later, Eugene was honorably discharged from the service and the two of them boarded a military ship to the U.S.

Matilde's first home in America was in Eugene's home town of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where she gave birth to four children: Kathleen, Paul, Jeffrey and James. In 1959, they decided to make another major change in their life by moving the family to California. After selling their home in Wisconsin, and before making the two-thousand five-hundred mile trek across country, the family flew to Matilde's home town of Rome. It was a joyful reunion with her relatives. Once back in the U.S., the family headed west from Wisconsin in an Airstream trailer borrowed from Eugene’s dad. They traveled up and down the length of California and decided to settle down in the city of Anaheim.

Matilde kept her crew in line with a firm hand while teaching them about the love and grace of Jesus; after all was said and done, she herself was always quick to offer grace. She also taught her children to help and support one another, both at home and on family outings and camping trips. There was plenty of laughter in Matilde and Eugene’s house, and lots of noise and music to brighten things up. It was clear to all who knew her that she lived for her husband and children. Her love and concern for her family was always foremost in her mind and heart.

As the children grew up and began to pursue their own life interests, Matilde was quick to offer motherly wisdom and caring advice. She was proud of her growing family and loved to gather with her children, their spouses, and her 12 grandchildren at Disneyland, the beach, or her favorite camping place, Yosemite. Holidays at their home were a particularly fun time, with cookies and other wonderful culinary delights.

Eugene’s love for Matilde was lived out every day as he affectionately cared for her during the final years of her life. On December 27th, 2018, after seventy-two years of marriage, Matilde was delivered into the loving arms of her Savior Jesus Christ. She lived a full life – one full of smiles, hugs, and caring. She will be dearly missed, and we look forward to the time when we will see her again.