Katherine A. Matella

July 31, 1951 - August 25, 2015

07/31/1951 - 08/25/2015

Past Services

Visitation
Monday August 31, 2015
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home - Southside Chapel
5033 Rouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 422-4000 | Directions
Service
Tuesday September 01, 2015
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
St. Matthew's Catholic Church
3314 Sandra Ln.
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
757-420-6310 | Directions
Service

Katherine (Kathy) Ann Matella, 64, passed away at her home in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. She was born in Staten Island, NY, the daughter of the late James A. Brown and Katherine F. Stabb. Kathy spent her childhood in Glen Burnie and Severna Park, MD, and later got her nursing diploma from Baltimore’s Union Memorial School of Nursing. Kathy met her future husband in 1971 at a US Naval Academy mixer and was wed 2 years later at the Naval Academy Chapel. Life then took Kathy to Norfolk, VA, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Houston, TX, Harrisonburg, VA, and back to the Virginia Beach area where she spent her last 20 years.
Kathy was a mother, a nurse, and a teacher. Despite the challenges of raising four children, Kathy worked as an oncology nurse at the Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research in Houston, TX. She volunteered as the school nurse at St. Frances De Sales around the same time. Combining her love of children and music, Kathy also taught piano lessons over the years. In Virginia Beach, she volunteered at St. Matthew’s Catholic School as a kindergarten teaching assistant and lived to see many of her former students start college.
Kathy loved reading to children, playing the piano, working on puzzles, going to weekly movies with her dear friend Judy, and playing board games with friends. She enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy with her late neighbor Charlie and baking treats for her friend Louise. Most neighbors knew Kathy as the lady who walked her large black dog around the neighborhood.
Kathy was also a longtime member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, VA. Kathy loved the Bible and attending her Bible study group, as well as singing in the church choir. She found great strength in her faith and the love of family and friends. Kathy was an inspiration to everyone, and during her 10 month illness her faith never faltered. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 42 years, Thomas Matella; daughters Mary Matella and wife Katharine, and Jennifer Mello and husband John; sons Thomas Matella, Jr., and wife Kristen, and Joseph Matella and wife Melissa; brothers James and Robert Brown; sisters Carole Taylor, Barbara Miller, and Patricia Eggett; and seven grandchildren–Madison Matella, Mitchell Matella, Elena Mello, Rebecca Mello, Emmeline Matella, Clayton Matella, and Charles Matella.
The family will receive friends Monday, August 31, 2015, from 4-8 pm at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 3314 Sandra Ln. Virginia Beach, VA. 23464, at 11:30 AM. Final rest at St. Matthew Columbarium.
Special thanks to the staff of Heartland Hospice for all the care and concern shown to Kathy.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.altmeyerfh.com. The Altmeyer Funeral Home-Southside Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Nicole Hill
8 years ago

Family movie night with Kathy and the Matella family was always fun.

Nancy Kerber Parker
8 years ago

I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of Kathy. My memories of Kathy go back over 50 years. We were in junior high together and became good friends. We attended the same high school, Severna Park High. We also both attended college/nursing school in Baltimore, Maryland. I was part of Kathy’s wedding as a bridesmaid. After Kathy married she moved away from Maryland but we still remained in contact through letter-writing. I was able to visit Kathy and her young family in Ft. Lauderdale in 1982. We didn’t see each other for many years until Kathy visited me in Maine. Kathy visited me twice and they were precious times of reuniting an old friendship. When I think of Kathy I think of her strong Christian faith and her testimony and witness of Christ’s unconditional love. Kathy and I were not only “soul sisters” but sisters in Christ. I will miss her very much.

Bill & Kay McCann
8 years ago

Kathy you were always about doing HIS work.

Gail Nimitz
8 years ago

Kathy loved family and friends. She found what needed to be done and did it with love and kindness. I enjoyed knowing her and watching the tribute to see her kind spirit throughout her entire life. I pray that we remember her each time we choose to be kind and helpful. Smile for Kathy. The world needs our smiles to fill in the gaps. We each need to do a little extra. More hugs, more kind words. More forgiveness. We will miss her. God Bless all who benefitted from her loving kindness.

Marie orr
8 years ago

It’s been my privilege to live next door to such a kind and thoughtful lady as Kathy. She always had a smile and wave for you and wonderful conversations about books, yard work and movies… We would laugh at the silliest things.. My thoughts and prayers are with Tom and their family ..

Ken Stabb
8 years ago

Therese and I would like to extend our deepest sympathy for the loss of Kathy. We recognize these are difficult times for the entire family, our prayers are with you all. Our hope is with the passage of time you each will be permitted the opportunity to enjoy the many personal memories of Kathy. I know I will always remember the Brown’s summer trips to Boonville. Kathy, as a young girl, walking the rail fence in the yard, her smiling face and kind spirit. The Lord be with you all.

Irene Hill
8 years ago

My heart goes out to all of you as you grieve Kathy’s loss. It was my privilege to have her as a friend. “Awesome” is the only way to describe her unfailing faith in the Lord. And now she is guarding over each & every one of you with her “angel’s wings” as each of you continue your journey following God’s plans for your lives.
The memories of the fun we had in Houston will always be treasured in my heart.
All my love — Irene