On December 26, 2022, Cecilia Michiels Stevens passed away peacefully at age 95.  Born on November 19, 1927, to Belgian immigrants, Polidoor and Ida Michiels, she enjoyed being the fifth of six daughters, all who preceded her to eternal rest.  She was a cherished wife, Mom, Nana, Aunt, Sister, and friend to many.  She married George Stevens in February of 1949, celebrating almost 50 years of marriage before his passing in 1998. She grew up working diligently alongside her sisters on a family-owned vegetable farm, each taking turns to drive produce to the market downtown as young, hardworking women.  Their life centered around church, singing in the choir, family and friends.  George and Cecilia lovingly raised two daughters, and were thrilled to welcome four grandsons, one granddaughter and a great grandson.  As a sentimental and natural-born nurturer, she served well at what made her the happiest, being a mother and "Nana."

Cecilia was very proud to be the wife of a San Antonio Police Officer.  And when George represented Catholic Life Insurance Union (CLIU), she actively participated in CLIU's faith-based programs as a dedicated volunteer in the San Antonio area.

Cecilia was a woman of deep faith and gratitude.   In 2014, the Catholic Diocese of San Antonio bestowed on her the Lumen Gentium Award for Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG) Parish in Helotes, Texas, for demonstrating participation in the Catholic Church's mission to bring Christ's light to all.  She did not work for accolades or praise, but rather, with humility, in her words, "to serve the Lord."   At both St. Luke's and OLG, she lead and served on the Altar Society, beautifully designing and preparing floral arrangements for every week, every season, for decades.  As a lover of music, she cherished being named after the patron saint of music.  She was known for saying "Thank you Lord" in good times and bad, for both little blessings and bigger ones. She was a prolific giver of compliments, time, talent and treasures to many causes.  She enjoyed travelling with Rosanne, and her family and friends.

Cecilia is survived by daughters Rosanne Mathews (husband, Les); Carol Smith (husband, Terry); grandsons Steven Smith, William Smith, Kyle Smith (wife, Morgan), Sonny Mathews, granddaughter Nicole Colbath; great grandson, Stephen Burrows, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to especially thank her niece, Julie Persyn, for loving her Aunt Cecilia so well. Pallbearers include her grandsons, and dedicated great-nephew, Roland DeWinne.  Rosanne and Carol send sincere appreciation to the kind, caring staff at Adante Memory Care and Freedom Hospice.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Friday, January 6, 2023

Services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church

13715 Riggs Rd., Helotes, TX

Visitation to begin at 9:30am / Recitation of the Rosary at 10:30am / Funeral Mass to be offered at 11:00am

A reception will immediately follow in the parish hall.

Funeral procession will then depart the church at 1:30pm

for interment in San Fernando Archdiocesan Cemetery No.2.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Memorial contributions may be made in Cecilia's name to the

Altar Society at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Helotes, Texas.