Nova Mathena

Nova Gwendolyn Mathena, age 86, a resident of Huntington Woods for more than 20 years, died March 30, 2011 at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. She was born October 29, 1924 in Detroit to the late James A. and V. Mabel Pitman. Mrs. Mathena worked as a unit secretary of scheduling at William Beaumont Hospital. She retired from Kelly Health where she did scheduling and payroll. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Birmingham, and loved to teach Sunday School and do volunteer work at church. She also enjoyed gardening at her home. She is survived by her husband, Donald B. Mathena; the couple married September 25, 1945 in Narrows, VA; children, Margaret Robert Kirkland, Daniel Cheryl Mathena and Pamela Ann Mathena; six grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Irene Sims. The visitation will be Friday 2-8:30 p.m. and service Saturday 11 a.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W Eleven Mile Road 4 blks. E of Woodward, Royal Oak. The burial will take place at White Chapel Memorial Cemetery in Troy. Memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital appreciated. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.