Eloisa A. Matthews

Eloisa Almendarez Matthews, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, counselor and friend, died at the age of 78 on February 5, 2018 in Austin after fighting multiple illnesses in recent years. Despite the toll her many health challenges took, she remained joyful and sought meaningful connections with the many people in her life.

She was born on July 11, 1939 near Port Lavaca, Texas. At 17, she moved to Houston, where she became a long-time resident, to earn a nursing degree. In the years that followed, she became a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse, earned a Masters in Psychology, and became a Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist to further her life's work of helping countless people and families in inpatient and outpatient therapeutic settings battle and heal from addiction. She had a significant presence in the AA community of Houston and maintained a private practice well into her 70s.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Maria De Jesus Olivarez Almendarez Briseño and Martin Almendarez, Sr., and stepfather, Manuel G. Briseño, Jr.; sister, Grace Cumpian; former spouse, Dr. Glenn B. Matthews and their babies they lost.

She is survived by her daughter, Jessica Matthews Charbeneau, "like a son" son-in-law, Ryan P. Charbeneau, and her adored grandchildren, Henry and Quinn Charbeneau of Austin; her sisters, Sara Almendarez, Lydia Briseño, and Ana Valenzuela of Victoria, and Ester Ybarra of Katy; her brothers, Martin Almendarez, Jr. of Victoria, Valentin Almendarez of San Marcos, Vidal Briseño of Conroe, and Elias Briseño of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She will be missed by the many people she touched. May the gifts of love and acceptance she gave remain with them always, and may her generosity of spirit inspire us all to live with an open and forgiving heart.

We give special thanks to the many health care providers and staff at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, Cornerstone Hospital of Austin and Brookdale Spicewood Springs Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living, who cared for her with loving compassion and respect.

Funeral services are provided by Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752, (512)-454-5611. A rosary will be recited in Austin on Monday, March 5, 12:30 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive, with a Memorial Mass at 1:00 pm and reception to follow.

A second Memorial will be held in Houston, April 14th, 2:30 pm at Memorial Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center (PARC), 3043 Gessner.