Dorothy Matecko
Dorothy’s funeral service will be on Friday April 24th, at 11:30 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Dot, Dottie, or Dorothy; the fortunate ones called her Mom, Grandma/Nanny and even, Great Grandma. Born in Western Pennsylvania on November 28, 1925, she grew up in the small coal mining town of Rillton (near Pittsburgh) the daughter of George and Mary Mogus, along with her brother, Frank and sister, Norma Jean. She was a lifelong Pittsburgh Steeler and Pirate fan, even attending the 1971 World Series (she was thrilled when the Pirates won in 7 games).
In 1947, she married George Matecko, a young World War II combat pilot. Geroge had planned to be a math teacher in Pittsburgh, but his reserve unit was mobilized during the Korean War, and he continued on active duty for 30 years. Together, they embarked on George’s military career with stops in Germany, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas. She was the mother of four of us—George/Mat, Alan, Lois, and Lee. Her successful goal of having all her children graduate from college was only a small part of her child raising skills. She possessed strength through her quiet steadiness and keen understanding of people. She enjoyed reading, listening to music, playing games (as a teenager playing baseball, she broke her pinkie finger which angled out permanently), and cheering on her family while they played in various sporting events.
An advocate for caring of others; after her children had left the nest, she became active in the American Red Cross Greater San Antonio Chapter. For more than 25 years, she led disaster relief teams from New Jersey to Guam, handled community survey teams, shelter management, was the state volunteer coordinator, among many other duties. In 2000, she was named the Outstanding Volunteer. Then became a member of the SA Red Cross Board, where she earned emeritus status after her service.
After George passed in 1996, she and her sister, Norma, were traveling companions. They traveled by motor home with Norma’s husband, Henn, throughout the United States, and also enjoyed international travels. Together, they had the highlight of their travels when they went to Croatia and visited the town their father came from. Like their parents, they spoke Croatian and enjoyed the people and culture of the country. When she moved to her new home in the San Antonio Towers, she took an active role in the building, serving on the membership and other committees. She took pride in welcoming newcomers and building relationships with other residents.
Her faith in God was always present in her life, and at the end of her life she found a new home at the St. Francis Nursing Home. She enjoyed attending daily Mass and became fast friends with the Seraphic Sisters and the staff who took great care of her. It was here on Easter Sunday she was called to rise up! Dorothy is survived by her sons, Mat, Alan and Lee (and their wives—- Claire, Sue, and Sandee), seven grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren with another on the way. In Heaven, she joins her husband, George; daughter, Lois, and her parents and brother and sister.