1927-2025
Matilde del Pilar “Abuela” Mata Polanco
A beloved Mother, Great-Grandmother, Grandmother, Matilde Mata was known as: Abuela, Mama, Mato,
passed away peacefully at the age of 98, on the morning of November 18, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Abuela was born in Bonao in the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic on January 21st, 1927 to
Basileo Mata and Emilia Polanco.
Basileo Mata, a prominent merchant dealing in land and livestock, met Jesus Maria García through their
shared profession. They connected over their mutual admiration for each other's family values and shared
Christian faith.
In 1942, they arranged for Jesus Maria's son, Agustín García, to marry one of Basileo's daughters. Upon
meeting his potential spouse, Agustín was struck by Matilde's beauty and chose her as his preferred bride.
Agustín and Matilde married in December of 1942, in Licey la Vega, Dominican Republic. They
remained married for 64 years until his passing on February 14, 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Matilde and Agustín welcomed their first child, Inocensio Augusto García, in 1943; he tragically passed
away from yellow fever at just eight months old. This devastating loss left Matilde with deep sorrow. The
couple went on to have several more children: Constantino García Mata, Carlos Augusto García Mata,
Flor del Alba García Mata, Jose Agustín García Mata, Jose Gabriel García Mata.
Matilde had a deep love for children and raised two as her own: Máximo Augusto García Erázme and
Flor Elena García Ramirez.
In 1948, Abuela’s mother passed away. She along with her siblings helped raise her younger sibling until
1950 when Basileo Mata remarried to Patria de lo Santos. Patria and Abuela had a special bond and she
expressed great admiration toward her stepmother. Basileo and Patria welcomed four children.
Abuela was renowned for her kind demeanor and warm smile. Most notably, she expressed her love
through the art of cooking, finding immense joy in watching her family and friends savor the meals she
prepared. Abuela was skilled at butchering, milking the cows, cooking, and providing for the family
through her work on the farm. She had a deep love for nature and was an avid horse rider, especially of
the Paso Fino breed. She enjoyed riding her horses to the lake to admire the natural surroundings,
including the birds. Her love for nature was also reflected in her simple joys, like drinking coffee and
admiring the view from her window or front porch. She was also a devoted dog lover, often caring for
four or five dogs at a time.
Abuela is survived by: Constantino(1994) and Consuelo García, three children and grandchildren; Carlos
Augusto and Clara García, four children and grandchildren; Flor and Carlos Castillo, three children and
grandchildren; Jose Agustín and Antonia García, three children and grandchildren; Jose Gabriel and
Rhodes García three children and grandchildren.
Abuela will be remembered for her boundless love and the joy she brought into the lives of those around
her. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her..

Visiting hours at Mann Rodgers Funeral Home, 44 Perkins Street, Jamaica Plain on SUNDAY, November 23rd from 3-8 pm.  Relatives and friends invited.

Interment on November 24th at 12 o'clock  at Fairview Cemetery