Matilde DeSallaHopewell Junction - Matilde DeSalla passed peacefully on May 3, 2017 in Fishkill, NY. She was 89.Matilde was born on January 26, 1928 in the Philippines. She came to the United States as a legal immigrant in 1968 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1986.Matilde was a very special and invaluable member of the Donato family, helping to care for eight children from infancy through early adulthood and beyond. Across four generations, our family and many relatives were blessed with Matilde's unconditional love, boundless energy, loyalty and compassion. Her magnetic personality and genuine warmth made all who were fortunate to meet her feel like an instant friend. Children especially were drawn to her cheerfulness and quirky sense of humor. Matilde enjoyed singing, cooking and living every moment to share a laugh. Matilde was a devout Roman Catholic, committed to daily prayer and weekly Mass, for which she wore her white Church dress and blue sash in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes. Her faith guided her to live a life of generosity, humility and selflessness.Through strength, courage and determination, Matilde battled and beat Stage IV ovarian cancer in 2001. She became a resident of Wingate at Dutchess after suffering a stroke in 2008.A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 11:30 AM at the Church of St. Columba, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY. The burial will take place immediately after the Mass at St. Denis Cemetery, 604 Beekman Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY. Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., Hopewell Junction. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Wingate at Dutchess, especially the Vanderbilt Unit, for their compassionate and devoted care to Matilde throughout her eight years of residence. Memorial donations may be sent to the National Cancer Institute Gift Fund (addressed to: Director, National Cancer Institute, Building 31 Room 11A-16, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892)."Though we cry today, we will forever smile because she is etched into our lives."