On Saturday June 27, 2020, Celia L. Matus, a loving wife, business entrepreneur, and mother of five children passed away at the age of 91.
Celia was born August 10, 1928 in Jinotepe, Nicaragua to Lucila Dietrich and Juan Lopez Rodriguez. On August 18, 1946, Celia L. Lopez married Jose Santos Matus. They raised 5 sons together: Ramon Armengol, Roberto Tadeo, Sergio Jose, Oscar Arcenio, and Santos Alberto. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister & aunt, all while maintaining the business she and Santos built together: Panaderia Matus, the true gem of Barrio Alta Gracia, in Managua, Nicaragua.
The pride Celia had when she spoke of her love for her family and her life’s work were undeniable. She was a passionate woman whose demeanor spoke to great lengths without a word being said; with grace that made her a woman wise beyond her years.
She was captivating, high-spirited, but most of all she was proud. She loved her country, family, friends, life’s work, but loved most of all, the joy these brought her and the laughter and memories they provided her. Celia was a devoted Catholic, whose day always began with a café con leche and praying for her family.
She was known for her quick remarks, her infectious smile, and her strong, but still kind and compassionate spirit. The Panaderia has now come and gone, but Celia was truly the heart and soul, she was our family’s true gem. Her love, compassion and strong will lives on with every member of the family: her sons, their wives, their children and their children’s children. Take comfort in knowing this: she lived a long, beautiful, blessed life and is now reunited with her beloved husband, taking pleasure in sharing their café con leche together and taking pride in “sus hijos” and the legacy they cultivated.
Family will greet friends for a visitation from 5pm-8pm on Monday, July 6 at San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home in Queen Creek. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 7 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, beginning with a rosary at 9:30am, followed by a funeral mass as 10:00am. Burial will follow at San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek.