Stella D. Matalas

Stella D. Matalas passed peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 in Alexandria, VA. She was 89 years young and was still enjoying every minute of life up until the end.

Stella was born on December 4th, 1935 to Greek immigrants John and Demetra (Kostakes) Dross in Charlotte, North Carolina. After graduating from Central High School, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree as an English Major at Queens College in Charlotte, NC. It was there that she befriended Elaine (Matalas) Michaels who introduced her brother and Stella’s life-long love, Nick. Nick was working on his PhD at Harvard while Stella attended Queens and they immediately fell deeply in love. They communicated through almost daily letters back and forth until they married in 1958 shortly after Stella graduated.

Nick and Stella moved to Arlington, VA when Nick accepted an engineering position at the US Geological Survey. Stella taught English at Wakefield High School in Arlington, VA. Within a few years, they welcomed two daughters Mary (1964) and Denise (1965). Stella enjoyed raising the girls and went back to work in their teenage years and found her true passion in the publishing industry. She enjoyed writing, editing, and design for many years.

While working Stella enjoyed volunteer work and traveling the world with Nick. They traveled many continents as a couple, and made friends on cruises, tour groups, and other excursions.

Locally, she was a member of the Stonewall Manor Garden Club for over 40 years where she developed many deep friendships with neighborhood members. She volunteered at Food for Others, among other charitable organizations. It was there she met the women who would become the “birthday club” with whom she celebrated birthdays for decades at the Capital Grille. They became well known and loved by the staff and maintained a regular celebration table. One of Stella’s most loved activity was attending plays. She developed a deep bond with 1st Stage Theater in Tysons Corner where they accommodated her play group for nearly 20 years.

After Nick passed away, Stella moved to a condo in Old Town Alexandria, where she was close to her two daughters and made many new friends. In her final year she moved to assisted living at the Landing, which afforded her the active social life that she loved and made many new friends. While there she enjoyed gardening, museum trips, exploring restaurants, happy hours, play readings and more.

Stella was predeceased by her husband of 61 years Nicholas C. Matalas (2019), her brother John Dross (2020), and her sister Koula (Dross) Litchos (2023). Stella is survived by her two beloved daughters, Mary Matalas of Alexandria, VA and Denise Matalas of Fort Myers, FL. She also leaves behind three nephews and one niece.

Stella overcame many medical hardships – breast cancer, lung cancer, knee replacements, hip and back surgeries to name a few – but always persevered and worked hard to recover quickly from all setbacks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association at Stella’s page (please see link below).

Visitations will be held at Money and King Funeral Home located at 171 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 22180 as follows:

Tuesday, November 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 5 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Immediately following the Wednesday visitation, a memorial gathering will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 1st Stage located at 1524 Spring Hill Road Tysons, VA 22102