Matilde Luisa Semper

Matilde Luisa Semper (June 8, 1939 – 2026)

Matilde Luisa Semper “Tillie”, age 87, passed peacefully away on July 11, 2026. Born on June 8, 1939 in Havana Cuba, Matilde embodied the spirit of resilience, courage, and a profound devotion to her family.

In 1968, Matilde made a brave and life-changing journey from Cuba to the United States to start a new life. She arrived in Portland, Oregon, alongside her husband Fidel, her mother, her grandmother, and her four year old child Felipe . Starting fresh in a new country was an immense challenge, but it was one that Matilde and her husband fought straight on. At first they took on whatever jobs they could find, from cleaning apartments and a laundromat to working at a mattress factory and on the assembly line at a Tektronix. In 1970 they welcomed their daughter, Annette Semper.

Matilde later landed a beloved job with Sears at Lloyd Center, where she proudly worked her way up from customer service to merchandising. She chose to retire around age 60 to dedicate herself to her greatest joy: her family. She helped raise her grandson, Adam Brown, and a few years later, her granddaughter, Alexandra Semper. Matilde deeply shaped her grandchildren into the wonderful people they are today.

Matilde was a woman of many passions. Second to her family, she loved tole painting and explored many other arts and crafts. She volunteered at the Oregon Zoo for many years working at events, preparing for the Zoo Lights and participated in bird-watching counts. Above all, her life was defined by her unwavering support for her family. Her happy demeaner, strength, hard work ethic, and love of family was the foundation of the family.

She is survived by her loving husband, Fidel Semper; her son, Felipe Semper (Rebecca); her daughter, Annette Semper (Steve Brown); and her cherished grandchildren, Adam Brown and Alexandra Semper.

In lieu of flowers, our family suggests memorial contributions be made to the our Parish, St. Ignatius Catholic Church, https://onrealm.org/sipdx/-/form/give/now 3400 SE 43rd Ave, Portland, OR 97206 and Oregon Zoo Foundation to support animal well-being and wildlife conservation. Gifts can be made online oregonzoo.org/donate or mailed to 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR 97221

Rest in Peace Matilde