Clara Josephine Matych Altenbern passed away peacefully from complications of Alzheimer’s at the age of 84 on May 21, 2020 in Sugar Land, Texas. Jo was born on May 4, 1936 in Big Rapids, Michigan to George and Leona Matych and was one of 5 children. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Tom of 63 wonderful years, her parents, her two sisters and two brothers, her eldest son David, and granddaughter Christi Simpson. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Nelson, and her husband Dave; her son Douglas and his wife Kelly; her grandchildren Carolyn Blanton, Heather Stinger, Stephanie Altenbern, Jeffrey Altenbern, Tiffanie Altenbern; and ten great-grandchildren. Jo’s love and support for her children and grandchildren was endless.
Jo met Tom at the University of Michigan where she was studying to become a nurse. They quickly fell in love and soon got married and began their life together. They had several relocations around the country ultimately settling in the Houston area in 1977. There she continued her education and received her Bachelor’s of Science and Nursing (BSN) and also her Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN) in 1989 from the University of Texas. In Houston, Jo worked for the Memorial Hermann Hospital system. She worked in various positions including as a coronary critical care nurse (CCRN), Director of Nursing at Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital, Director of Critical and Progressive Care at Memorial Southwest, Director of Nursing at Pasadena Southmore Hospital, and after her initial retirement returned as a consultant for Memorial Hermann on hospital accreditation. She retired several times never wanting to stop caring for others and finally retired for good in September of 2003. Jo loved traveling, taking cruises with their “Cheap- Eats” group, going to University of Michigan football games with their lifelong college friends, visiting Las Vegas to “gamble”, seeing plays and sharing dinner with their close long time Houston friends and spending time with her beloved grandchildren. Jo was a kind, caring, loving woman who would always put others needs above her own. All who knew her also knew she was always there when you needed her.
The family would like to thank the amazing caregivers at Inspired Living-Sugar Land who loved and cared for her these past few years. Words cannot express our appreciation for how well they treated her and loved her.
Graveside service will be at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery 12800 Westheimer Road Houston Texas 77077 on Monday June 1, 2020 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jo’s memory to the The Alzheimer's Association. Tribute and or words of condolence can be left at www.settegastkopf.com
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