Maria Clemencia Mata De Eichhorn

Maria “Cleme” Mata de Eichhorn, 71, of Toledo Ohio, died peacefully on the 15th of December surrounded by her husband and children following a long hospitalization from an automobile accident.

Cleme was born in Villa Hidalgo, San Luis Potosi, Mexico on November 23, 1952 to Jose Albino Mata and Clara Garcia Mata. She was their youngest daughter. Her childhood in the desert gave her a deep appreciation for nature and all its beauty. She came to the U.S. at the age of 15 with her mom and younger brother, Martin. After being told it would only be a six month vacation, she built a life in the United States. She graduated from Durand High School in 1972, married, raised a family, and eventually became a U.S. citizen in 2016.

She returned to Mexico annually to visit with family and friends, especially her beloved sister, Elvia. The challenges of a culture shock, the completely different weather, and a language barrier would have stopped most people. Those challenges taught her compassion, empathy, and resilience.

She met her husband of nearly 50 years, Michael Eichhorn, in Durand, Michigan. They built a home in Lennon, Michigan. They were married on April 27th, 1974 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where they remained parishioners until moving from the area in 2005.

Faith was a very important part of her life. She was an active member of St. Francis Prayer Center in Flint, MI. She was a lifelong Catholic belonging to the parishes of St. Mary’s, Durand, St. Mary Magdalen, Hazel Park, and most recently, St. Martin de Porres, Toledo. She believed in the importance of service to others and volunteered her time and talents to the community in countless ways.

She had several jobs in service oriented industries during her lifetime, however she felt her vocation was raising her four children: She delighted in her seven grandchildren, ages 16 years to 6 weeks, and was overjoyed to welcome her newest granddaughter shortly before her passing.

Nothing made her happier than seeing her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. She was there at soccer games, dance recitals, choir performances, cross country and track meets, football games, wrestling matches, band performances, marathons, concerts, fundraisers, holidays, graduations, birthdays, and weddings. Rain or shine, she would show up. She also loved gardening, crocheting, babies, butterflies, and feeding people - whether they were hungry or not.

She was preceded in death by her parents and older brother, Julio Mata. She is survived by her husband, Michael Eichhorn; siblings Esperanza Mata Vazquez, Elvia Mata, and Martin Mata; four children Laura Wharry (Ryan), John, Joseph (Sarah) and Abbi; and seven grandchildren as well as countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends she made along her journey.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 20th, at Walker Funeral home (5155 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH 43623) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Toledo, Ohio. Funeral mass will be Thursday, December 21st, at St. Martin de Porres (1119 Bancroft St, Toledo, OH 43606) at 11 a.m. with an additional visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A private internment will follow at a later date.

As she wanted the happy moments of her life celebrated, she requested no gloomy or overly formal clothing. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Martin de Porres Parish for use for food insecurity or assistance with migrant peoples.

Thank you for honoring our mom's life. As she would remind us, “Bloom where you are planted.”