Margaret "Mattie" Alvarez died peacefully at the Hospice House at Healthpark in Fort Myers, FL on Sunday March 13, 2011.
She is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Barney Alvarez: and her parents Joe Garcia & Josefa Menendez Garcia, and all of her siblings, Olga, Babe, Albert, and Joey. She leaves behind daughter Madeline & son in law Glenn Ronning of Ft Myers, FL and Madeline's children, Michele Larson of Houston, TX, and Kevin (Dawn) Larson of South Orange, NJ and his two sons, Max and Flynn. She will especially be missed by her nieces Diane Kunz and Nancy Ulrich and their families. In addition there are many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and Glenn's children and grandchildren who knew Mattie along with many friends she had over her lifetime, most of whom she had lost over the years.
Mattie was born in St. Louis, MO on August 11, 1916. After she graduated from Blow School she went to work at International Hat, and retired at age 62. She then became involved in the Carondelet Senior Center and volunteered there with the Meals on Wheels program. She was a fixture in the Michigan Avenue section of South St. Louis, a member of the Los Colabaradoras of the Spanish Society, a faithful parishioner at SS Mary & Joseph, and a member of the Mothers' Club there. She was an avid reader, letter writer, bingo player, and enjoyed talking with people and laughing as often as possible. In 2000 at the age of 84, she made the move to Fort Myers, FL to be near her daughter Madeline and made more friends along the way. Mattie will be missed by many.
Services: A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held early this summer in St. Louis. She will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery next to Barney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be mailed to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908
Arrangements under the direction of National Cremation & Burial Society, North Fort Myers, FL.