Victoria Mata

Victoria Mata, 92, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, February 18, 2023 at The Pavilion of Ottawa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, February 24, at 10:30am, at St. Columba Church, with Msgr. Mark Merdian officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00am until 10:00am on Friday at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery.

Victoria was born June 15, 1930, in Naplate, IL, to Luis and Maria (Perez) Suniga. She married Manuel Mata on December 24, 1951 at St. Columba Church. He preceded her in death on July 31, 2022.

She worked for many years as a translator and interpreter for the LaSalle County Public Defender's office and as a bookkeeper and secretary for Marc Anthony Trucking, Olmstead Loan Company and Stulls Appliance and TV. When she wasn't working, her and Manuel could be found traveling all over Illinois; the two of them loved to get in the car and go. In their travels, they loved going antiquing and shopping for hand crafted goods, especially from the Amish. Above all, family was most important to her; she shared her love of cooking with them as she hosted all the holidays.

She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court of Santa Maria 236, a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary post 2470, the Professional and Business Women's Club, and the National Secretaries Association. She was a devout Roman Catholic and was a member of St. Columba Parish.

She is survived by her two daughters, Carol Mata of Ottawa and Teri Barron of Utica; her grandson, Zach Barron of Utica; her sister, Lupe O'Leary of Fountain Valley, CA; as well as many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 71 years, Manuel Mata; and her siblings, Ralph Suniga, Louis Suniga, Jesse Atilano, and Frank Suniga in infancy.

Memorials may be directed to the family.