Edith "Ada" Francescon

On January 21, 2025, a beautiful day with snow blanketing the Houston area, EDITH “ADA” GUBERT FRANCESCON, 102, loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend went to meet our Lord.

Ada was born on February 27, 1922, to Matteo Gubert and Velia Rech Gubert in Edwardsville, Illinois. Snowbound at home with no way for a mid-wife to travel to their home, Matteo delivered his only daughter, and they named her “Ida” which eventually went from Edith to Ada based on legal document misspellings from the Italian pronunciation to English spelling. Reflecting on her 102-year history (just 5 weeks shy of 103), the name “Ida” proved to be quite prophetic: A name of Germanic origin that means industrious, hardworking, prosperous.

Ada and her three older brothers were first generation Italian Americans whose parents Matteo and Velia immigrated from their hometown in Seren del Grappa, Italy in the Province of Belluno located in Northeastern Italy between Venice and the Italian Dolomites.

After 15 years of hard work in the coal mines in Edwardsville, Illinois, and Thurber, Texas, Ada’s father decided to pursue a new career. In 1926, when Ada was four, her father purchased a dairy farm in Manvel, Texas. Many of the Italian American coal miners from Thurber had moved to Manvel and started dairies.

Although born during some tough times, Ada at a young age embraced life. Anxious to keep up with her older brothers and true to her “can-do-it” and always “ready to help” personality, Ada begged her parents to allow her to start milking the cows. At the age of six, she started her day milking cows before going to school followed by milking and chores after school and then doing her homework. Her competitiveness, patience, and attention to detail and the process allowed her to succeed in the cow milking process, and many times per Ada, beat out her brothers in cow milking output.

According to Ada, it was a tough life for her parents compared to today but held many opportunities.

“When in Edwardsville, my parents bought the dairy in Manvel, Texas, sight unseen from another Italian family because they were returning to Italy. We were on our way to a new life in the country. Manvel was a very small community. All the Italians had dairies. This is how they made their living, and by farming they grew all their vegetables. Now we were a part of that community. Thinking back … How my parents did not become disillusioned, I'll never know, as the house was nothing but a four-room shack and the barns were ready to fall down. My parents worked very hard to repair the house and barn. When we first arrived, I can remember when it rained, Mama had pots all over the house catching the rain. The house had only one wall. We were truly "air-conditioned" in the wintertime. There was no electricity or gas. We used an iron wood stove in the winter time to keep warm, and we all huddled around it. Mama cooked on it, and in the summer, she used the kerosene stove. We had no ice box except the box we used to keep the milk cold in the milk house. The water pump, pumped by hand, was near the milk house. To bathe, we had to use a number 2 wash tub and warmed the water after carrying it in from the pump. I don't remember what the outhouse looked like when we moved to Manvel, but I do remember the one my father built. It was as nice an outhouse as you would want to see. By 1930, my father had managed to practically rebuild the old house to where it was livable. The first thing Papa did to the house was to build a new roof since the original flat roof leaked. About 1930, another Italian family decided to move back to Italy. Papa bought their two-room house, which was very well built, and he, with the help of the Italian neighbors, moved the house across the prairie with horses pulling it to our four-room house. Papa attached the two houses together with a wide screened porch. We now had a six-room house with a big breezeway connecting the two houses. Later, Papa did away with the breezeway and put the space in the kitchen and dining rooms making them very large.....

We milked the cows every morning, then went to school, came home to prepare to milk the cows again, and then we did our homework. We all went to a small two-room country school. Fire destroyed it, and we finished the school year in the Baptist Church. Then, our new school was built. It was a large three-room school that taught us through the seventh grade. It also had an auditorium and a library. We had wonderful teachers. We walked approximately one and 1/2 miles to school on a mud road, which became muddy when it rained. We had to wear boots and carry shoes if we wanted to wear shoes in school. Many days I wore shoes and had to clean them before I could go in the room.....

In the summertime we could play or visit if there were no chores to do. During the summer, there was always work to be done during the day - planting, harvesting, bailing hay, etc. We raised nearly all we ate, including the meats. When one family butchered a calf or pig, all the neighbors helped. Most of the meat was made into sausage, which was cured and then put into the cellar. Food kept a long time in the cellar since it was always cool. Papa had dug the cellar before the house was fixed because of the hurricanes. We spent several nights in the cellar in different years.”

At the beginning, life was tough for many of the Italian immigrants, but, in most cases, the opportunities in America outweighed the economic conditions in their homeland. Through their faith, hard work, tenacity, sacrifice, and patience, the Gubert Family, like most of the Italian immigrant families, achieved their goals and dreams, paving the way for an easier life for subsequent generations.

Following Ada’s completion of grade school in Manvel (graduating top of her class), she moved to Houston where there was access to good high schools. Since there was no high school in Manvel, Ada boarded with an Italian Family – The Petronella Family - who lived on Leeland Street on the second floor of their home, above their grocery store. She immediately became fast friends with their daughter Josephine Petronella and their son Louis Francescon. She would travel back to Manvel on many weekends to visit her family, catching rides back and forth with the Manvel Milk Co-op delivery truck that delivered milk from Manvel to the Creamery Company located on Leeland.

During her time in Houston, Ada attended high school, worked in the grocery store, helped clean rental properties, and became hooked on what would become one of her lifelong favorite past-times, watching Houston Baseball. Whenever she had the opportunity during baseball season, she would walk to Buffalo Stadium to watch the Buffaloes play.

In addition to baseball, Ada also became quite smitten and hooked on what would become the love of her life - Louis Francescon. A month after graduation from Stephen F. Austin Senior High School, Ada married Louis on June 25, 1939, and they moved to a house on Clay Street. Then, two years later on September 1, 1941, they welcomed Barney Matt, her only child and the apple of her eye.

Sadly, on January 30, 1943, Louis, Ada, and Barneys’ lives changed forever when Louis came down with polio during the first epidemic in Houston. Immediately, Barney, who was 17 months old, went to stay with relatives, followed by a long-term stay with his Gubert grandparents who had moved to League City. Ada was unable to have contact with Barney because of her exposure to Polio but would take trips to League City and talk to him and wave through the window. Those visits were very hard for Ada because Barney was so young and did not understand. After a month stay in St. Joseph Hospital, Louis had many months of therapy. Finally, Barney was able to come home. During the Polio epidemic, Ada volunteered to cut patterns for limb wraps for Polio patients and trained others on pattern making.

After a year, Louis returned to the Racing Form where he had worked prior to Polio, but he had to learn a new profession since he could no longer walk without crutches or a walker. Thankfully, he was able to pursue another stage within the publishing process – proofreading. Louis continued to work for the Racing Form until it closed in 1951, followed by a career at the Houston Chronicle until his retirement 28 years later.

Although heartbroken for her family, Ada, with her can-do-it attitude, tenacity, perseverance, caring nature, and giant heart took beautiful care of Louis throughout his life. Her spirit, like the spirit of fellow Americans of the day, was tough, and she wasn’t about to let hard times keep her down. Ada was amazing - a truly dedicated wife and mother.

In 1954, Louis, Ada, and Barney entered a new and exciting era of their lives - building a home in the new neighborhood of Glenbrook Valley located in the east end of Houston. Many Italian American families moved to the neighborhood, creating a strong community of Italian Americans that supported and cared for each other and came together at events – the parties, the food, the card games, the bowling leagues, the Italian sausage making, the Italian cookie making, and the renowned “Christmas Light Displays” to name a few of the experiences in Glenbrook Valley.

Three months following their move-in, a new family moved in next door – The Saladinos (Tony and Vance & their daughter’s Polly and Linda), The Scalises (Katherine and Lee), and Mrs. Cuttitte (Vance and Katherine’s mother). Ada and the sisters, Katherine and Vance, became fast friends. The sisters introduced Ada to many new Italian Americans in the neighborhood and in Houston. With many of the Italians from Sicily, Ada was introduced to a new Italian dialect, different culture, and different foods. Ada became active in the community, joining Italian clubs, bowling leagues, playing cards, and volunteering at St. Christopher Catholic Church.

In addition to gaining many Italian friends, Ada also gained a daughter, although she did not know it immediately. In 1954, there were very few completed houses in Glenbrook Valley with less than 10 families moved in at the time. There was still a lot of open prairie land and not much to do after school since the neighborhood at that time was on the “outskirts” of Houston. Not long after the Saladinos moved in, Linda from next door often came to visit Ada. According to Barney:

“Linda became close with Mom and was over our house more and more. I was used to having my friends Bill Oggero and Sam Maida with me when Mom and Dad took us to play ball, go swimming, go skating, but now, we had a girl with us. As February 1955 rolled around, most of the Italian kids began to make plans for the big St. Valentine’s Day dance at the Rice Hotel. The Sweetheart Ball was the biggest dance of the year, and Bill and Sam had their dates a month before. Every day Bill and Sam would start in on me – ‘Come on, Barney, ask Linda to the dance.’ Finally, two weeks prior to the dance, Bill and Sam were at the house, and Bill handed me the receiver, and said, ‘Call Linda and ask her to the dance.’ I called Linda and asked her to the dance, and she said yes before the words cleared my mouth. The rest was pretty much history. Ten years to the day of that first Sweetheart Ball (my first date), Linda and I were married on February 14, 1965, following my graduation from University of Houston. Well, Mom always kidded me that she wanted a girl; now she had one.”

Besides getting a daughter, Ada also gained a giant family – The Saladinos. Ada always said how grateful and blessed she was to be included in all the Saladino events throughout her entire life, treating her as part of the family and calling her “Aunt Ada”.

Following the marriage of Barney and Linda, Ada was blessed with three wonderful grandchildren, Louis, Anthony, and Matthew. The boys loved running back and forth from the Francescon home to the Saladino home to visit both sets of grandparents and great-grandmothers. Ada was an amazing and typical Italian grandmother who was always there for her grandchildren whether it was cooking their favorite foods, driving them to an event, sewing a costume, helping them with their homework or school project, volunteering in their school activities, or going to watch their sporting events.

In addition to her family responsibilities, Ada managed their rental properties. She wore multiple hats from operations (cleaning properties when tenants moved out, painting, light plumbing, wall papering, etc.) to back-office property management, leasing, and accounting. At the height of the rental business, she was managing 45 properties and outsourcing/coordinating all repair and maintenance operations. Ada was a true multi-tasker, strong manager, and hard worker that allowed her to take care of the family, home, and business.

Outside of the home, Ada was very involved in many organizations, charities, and the Catholic Church, giving her time and effort wherever needed. Whether it was making cookies for a festival, preparing a St. Joseph's Altar, volunteering her time as a board member of a club, collecting donations and playing Santa for the Carmelite nuns, volunteering at St. Christophers as a “Grandparent” on Grandparents Day, or taking care of an ill friend or relative, Ada was always there to help.

Ada belonged to many clubs and organizations throughout her life: St. Christopher Altar Society, Tapawingo Club, Charity Guild of St. Joseph, Ladies of the Sacred Heart, and numerous volunteer projects, bowling leagues, and "card groups".

In between her family duties, job responsibilities, and volunteerism, Ada also spent time sewing. She was a great seamstress, sewing clothes from a young age for her family and others. She was very creative and loved spending time behind her sewing machine as well as planting and gardening in her flower beds. In addition, she was a great cook, preparing amazing dishes with some of her specialties being Polenta, Gnocchis, Pasta Carbonara, Fried Cardones, Fig Cookies, Stuffed Artichokes, and Fried Chicken to name a few.

While Ada loved working and volunteering, her passion was her family. She loved being with her Gubert, Francescon, Petronella, Pontello, Incrapera, and Perricone family. She loved spending time with her brothers, cousins, nieces and nephews, whether on the phone, in person, hosting family events, or traveling to visit them. They meant the world to her. She loved them all so much. Family always came first.

In her later years, Ada experienced much joy but also deep loss.

On October 17, 1992, Ada added a granddaughter to her family when her grandson Louis married Tracey King. She was so excited, celebrating the event with her family at a beautiful wedding in Galveston, Texas.

But quickly, joy turned to loss, when sadly in July of 1993, Ada’s beloved daughter-in-law Linda was diagnosed with cancer and died less than a year later in April of 1994 followed by the death of husband Louis in 1995. It was a tough time, but in typical Ada fashion, Ada rose to the challenge and supported Barney and her grandsons doing whatever possible to help them. She was selfless, always putting others first, exhibiting empathy, compassion, consideration, and love.

Following the death of Louis, Ada was also able to complete her life-long dream of traveling to Italy and France to meet her Gubert and Rech family. She had many family members still there who came to visit on multiple occasions in Houston. She loved practicing her Italian in phone conversations and while writing and reading letters.

Later, Ada was blessed with four beautiful great grandchildren – Abigail, Andrew, Adam, and Alexander. Serving as a grandmother, Ada rarely missed school events. Her beautiful blue eyes lit up when she was with them. She loved them so much.

Although Ada had reached her 80’s, she didn’t slow down much. She continued working, volunteering, playing cards with her friends, taking trips to visit cousins, and going on outings with Josephine and Vance.

She continued to follow her beloved Houston Astros. She was a die-hard fan, watching them every season through good times and bad times. Throughout her life, her “Houston Baseball Watching Stats” (radio, TV, and in person) were pretty impressive - 87 seasons (Houston Buffs – 25 seasons, Colt 45’s – 3 seasons, & her beloved Houston Astros – 59 seasons).

Following her stroke in 2020, Ada spent much of her time at home being cared for by her family and caretakers. Ada was blessed to still be mobile, allowing her to attend Mass, get her hair done, and go to family events. She was even able to celebrate her “100th” Birthday with a big beautiful party in 2022. Her last big event included the marriage of her great granddaughter, Abigail to Ian Byrne on September 7, 2024. It was such a joyous occasion and true blessing that she was there celebrating with her family.

Ada began to fail the last week of her life, but up until Monday, January 20, she was still talking and visiting with her family. In the early morning hours during the Houston blizzard, being cared for by her family, caretakers, and beautiful nurse great granddaughter Abigail, she took a turn for the worse. She was given The Last Rites by Fr. Joseph Thu Le, Pastor of St. Christopher, and passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, January 21, 2025.

Ada, with her beautiful smile and sparkling blue eyes, will always be remembered for her zeal for life, her can-do-it attitude, her strong work ethic, her strength, her tenacious spirit, her perseverance, her selfless nature, her generosity, her compassion and empathy, and her loving and caring acts.

Ada, we will miss you. Thank you for being there for us. You were a gift and a beautiful example to all of us. Glenbrook Valley has lost the last original homeowner – oh, so many amazing memories and so many good times. The Houston Italian American community has lost a great one – one of the last of the Greatest Generation. You were great.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to her amazing caretakers - Linda, Winnie, Vacienta, Carolyn, Faye, Dorothy, and Ascend Hospice Care.

Ada was preceded in death by her parents Matteo & Velia Gubert; her husband Louis Francescon; her daughter-in-law Linda Francescon; her brother Tranquillo “Red” & wife Ruth Gubert; her brother Zelindo “Lee” & wife Rina Gubert; her brother Libero & wife Faye Gubert; her sister-in-law Josephine & husband Nick Incrapera; her nephew Adrian Gubert; her niece Virginia Gubert; her nephew Gene Wade; and many relatives and friends, locally and in Italy and France.

Ada is survived by son Barney Francescon; grandchildren Louis Francescon & wife Tracey, Anthony Francescon, and Matthew Francescon; great grandchildren Abigail & husband Ian Byrne, Andrew Francescon, Adam Francescon, and Alexander Francescon. She is also survived by nephews Frank Incrapera and wife Carol & Joseph Incrapera and wife Sandra and nieces Dorothy Mae Gubert Blackwell, Karen Gubert & Arlene Sullivan. She is also survived by many close relatives and friends, locally and in Italy and France.

Pallbearers are grandsons, Louis Francescon, Anthony Francescon, and Matthew Francescon, and great grandsons, Andrew Francescon, Adam Francescon, and Alexander Francescon. Honorary pallbearers include Ian Byrne, Michael Cerasa, Gerome D’ Anna, Lino Daniel, Adrian Gubert, Jay Gubert, Matt Gubert, Frank Incrapera, Joseph Incrapera, Matthew Nece, Michael Pontello, and Gene Wade.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Edith “Ada” Francescon name be made to Discalced Carmelite Nuns in San Antonio (210-680-1834), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org), or a charity of your choice.

Funeral Services:

Visitation: Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 PM. Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors on 8303 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024.

Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:30 AM with reception following in the Reception Hall. Holy Rosary Catholic Church on 3617 Milam Street, Houston, TX 77002.

Rite of Committal: Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM. Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery on 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.