Matilda R. Tolson 1915-2020

She was born Aug. 21, 1915, daughter of the late Joseph J. and Matilda Rose Skrak Hurray, in their home at the northeast corner of East Euclid Street and South Lundy Avenue in Salem, the sixth of eight children.

Tillie graduated from St. Paul School in 1929, Salem High School in 193 where she also played on the girls’ basketball team, and Salem Business College in 1935. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church.

Tillie was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Before her marriage, she worked as a human resource specialist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, Mo. during the 1940s. Prior to that, she worked for five years at the Deming Pump Co. in Salem. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, flowers, travel, backyard birdwatching and keeping up with family and friends via email.

Tillie is survived by her son, John Paul Tolson of Salem; her daughter, Dorothy (Douglas) Stahl of Ferndale, Mich.; grandchildren, Andrew (Gloria) Stahl, Angela Stahl and Kimberly Stahl; great-granddaughter, Audrey Stahl; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death in 2005 by her husband, John “Paul” Tolson, whom she married on Thanksgiving Day 1947 at St. Paul Catholic Church; her infant daughter, Mary Anne; two brothers, Dr. Joseph J. Hurray, D.D.S. and Philip F. Hurray; and five sisters, May A. Farrell, Helen E. Hurray, Virginia C. Hurray, Sister Mary Matilda Hurray, H.M. and Sister M. Dorothea Hurray, H.M., both sisters of the Humility of Mary order of women religious.

The family wishes to express its deepest appreciation for her caregivers during the past two years. Hope, Joyce, Kit, Rose and Leslie provided excellent and loving care and shared lots of laughs with Tillie.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, at St. Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. Robert Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery in Salem.

Calling hours will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, at Stark Memorial. Due to the COVID pandemic, the family respectfully requests visitors to follow mask and social distancing guidelines and do not linger.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Church, St. Paul School, or the St. Paul School Foundation, 935 E. State St., Salem, OH 44460 or to the charity of one’s choice.

If unable to attend, you may show your support by joining our complimentary “Hugs from Home” program where your message will be attached to a balloon in the chapel to remind the family of your love and support at www.starkmemorial.com/hugs-from-home.

Share your respects and memories with the family with a recorded video message at https://www.starkmemorial.com/virtualhugs.

Arrangements are being handled by Stark Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To view Matilda’s obituary or send condolences, visit www.starkmemorial.com.

(special notice)