Claudene Eleanor Mattos

Obituary

Claudene Eleanor (Craven) Mattos, 82, died on February 26, 2020. Claudene was born on September 10, 1937, in Weston, Missouri. She was baptized at Bethany Baptist Church when she was six years old.

A lifelong Kansas City resident, with a few years in Florida, Claudene attended James Elementary School, Northeast Junior and Senior High School. She was quite the tomboy growing up and absolutely loved sports. She was an excellent swimmer and was a member of the “Seal Club” at NE High. With her love of sports, she felt honored that her coach at NE High let her be a referee during basketball games. She also played the game as a “forward” position because she could make those shots! She was an avid Kansas City Royals fan, watching every game, and even recording games to watch later. She loved to play bingo and visit the casinos quite often, which was how her siblings celebrated their family Thanksgiving Dinners with a good ole’ game of poker for the evening! Claudene starting working in 1952 at the young age of 13, making donuts at the Leed’s Plant. Most of her adult life she worked in banking, with her last years working at the Internal Revenue Service from January 2005, retiring in July 2013 at the age of 75.

She was such a bright light in all of the lives she touched, so full of energy & spunk (her organizational skills were off the wall); she had such a passion for life with the biggest and kindest heart; loved to sing and dance; and took great pleasure in helping everyone she’d meet. She could tell a joke like no other, always making others laugh! Her wit and sense of humor were extraordinary. She was so adored and will be remembered for her joyous and welcoming spirit.

Claudene was taken from our world much too soon and will be sorely missed. Claudene leaves behind her two sons, Al Sanchez (Pam) of Gardner, KS; and Terry Linn Sanchez of Kansas City, MO; and her two daughters, Connie Norene Sanchez of Topeka, KS; and Terresa Lea Winch (Jeff) of Independence, MO. She is also survived by her sister, June Christine Holland of Independence, MO; loving Aunt to nieces Vanessa Bowerman of Independence, MO; and Mary Hernandez of Platte County, MO; Carolyn and nephew, Aric Craven (Katie) of Winner, SD; Sister- in-law, Virginia Craven of Winner, SD; Grandma to Cristian Sanchez (Lisa), Amy Showalter (Zac), Connie Sanchez (Doug), Trey Sanchez, and Nicolas Everett Winch; Great Grandma to Taylor, Hannah, Kaitlyn Jo, Maddie, Brandon, Morgan, Erin and Ian; and a village of extended family and friends to whom she was a Mom, Sister, Gramma, Great Grandma, Aunt, and precious friend.

She was preceded in death by her parents LeeRoy Craven, Sr. and Gladys Norene (Childers) Craven; her three brothers; Noel Decker, LeRoy Craven, Jr. (Jeanie), William (Uncle Bill); and sister Beatrice Pearl Decker (Bob).

Services will be held at Mt. Washington Cemetery, 614 S. Brookside, Ave, Independence, MO, 64053, with visitation from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Chapel next to the Mausoleum. Interment to follow at the Mt. Washington Cemetery Mausoleum.