Here is the unedited tribute written a night before our mom was to be buried. Although it did not fully tell how wonderful she was, I hope it gave an insight as to the love she had for all of us. I wrote this the night before the funeral and gave it to my friend Johnny, to read at the funeral. It was hard to write at the time! John knew us and was able to speak using the writing and what he knew. I will always be grateful for what he did.
My thoughts are since our father went first, we were so shocked that we did not have a chance to write something for him as well but it would have been very similar.
Dennis L. Stafford
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Copy to John Gallo
Born: Nov 1, 1912 Tampa Fl
Family of 4 sisters and 3 brothers
Mother Rosina,
Father Calegro
Lived in West Tampa her entire life
Meet her husband in Tampa and married Voyde W. Stafford Nov. 13 1943
He was born in Louisiana was serving the army when they meet.
They both settled in Tampa and worked with various jobs but mostly stayed with the business she had grown up with.
They opened their first store in the early 1940’s and made it a success.
They sold it a few years later in order to have a family and live closer to her parents
Times then were hard and they had an opportunity buy into another grocery business and soon developed with their partner Julian Turlington and later with the help of her brother Paul Mistretta opened another Import store in West Tampa which they fondly called Julian and Stafford.
During these time family members and sometimes friends would help them with the long hours they had to endure.
Even with the hours they put in there was always time for her to cook, clean, wash clothes, see her parents and help when she could her sisters and family along with the many other items that were needed throughout the day…most of all she did this for her sons and husband and never complained.
Once a year she would find the time to call a vacation and we as a family would travel to Louisiana to visit other family members….as always she found the time to make sure that ALL were taken care of…
While growing up Matilda never found a stranger, anyone who was brought into the house was automatically consider family and she never let them leave without giving them food for their body or soul.
She was a person that not only sparked life but ignited it as well! Many time family and friends would need a place to stay and knew they were always welcome at her home. On top of everything she did she even found time for them as well.
Growing up some of her fondest times were the Christmas parites they would have or the weekend Lake parties where she would commission her younger sister Mary to bring the “girls” and she would furnish the food and the “boys”. As we grew up they always looked forward to family gatherings whether they were formal or informal….they also looked for times when they could in anyway help with anything from maiking a phone call, helping to clean, cook or visit…..Love was defined with them in this area and all the neighors knew that as well.
All this was not new to her, as she grew up with an Italian immigrant family she learned the values of life and knew how important it was to have an education and succeed.
In that respect she gave us that opportunity and made us realize how important it was.
During her mid-life she and our family were struck with tragedy and the loss of her middle son Raymond.
This changed her life for many years and those that know her realize she never really recovered fully from that.
Later on in life as she so often dreaded and cried over her most precious commodities grew up.
She then adapted and joined them and helped them with their lives as if she were still the one we were living with.
In later years grandchildren Gina, Dennis and Michael filled her life with what had made her the happiest before…that was taking care of her grandchildren. She cherished them, feed them, and loved them as no other could do.
Matilda did not read books on motherhood nor did she get an education when it came to motherhood….she was born a natural and God placed her here to touch the lives of all those that came in contact with her.
She was a caring person and never once did she forget her Mother, Father, brothers or sisters or husband….to her everyone came first! She did not have to think about it.
Matilda has two great grandchildren as well and was fortunate enough to meet them even though just a short while.
When Voyde (Stafford) as she called him affectionately became ill, the doctors gave him very little time to live….she could not accept that and with her love and care nurshised him for several years beyond what they had anticipated…..once he left her again she became saddened but ever so strong as to stay as independent as she could….she very little asked for help….her sickness demanded it but it made her uncomfortable but loved at the same time…..she had a very supportive family and as throughout her life this is all she lived for….Matilda had wealth, not as we may know it but a giving love that was unmeasurable by any standards….to know her was to love her! Her wealth carries on with her children and family members from there she hopes that the love will go on to all families.
Matilda retired from store work years ago, but never retired her position in life to help when ever she could….if it were cooking for someone…baby sitting her grand children, nephews or nieces, or volunteering her time in a hospital or nursing home she was there.
During her bought of sickness she never really saw herself as disabled but had empathy over other patients and her family and wanted to help in her own way….
Throughout the years she would have visitors from time to time, family members old friends and even strangers, when they left they knew they had meet an angel she never really saw or felt this but God knows why she was placed on earth and missed her as well.
She is now in a better place and will again see her family members, her loved husband and her lovely son.
We all will miss her but her lessons will remain with us as long as we live.
Macdill s of hills. Lakeside villas
Hill past Habana to macdill and go left to west side called lakeside villas office and go right to first building on my left building 10 apt 1014. 870-9513