Benedicta Picans Conde passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. from a brief illness, surrounded by family at her Nederland, TX home. She led a remarkably active life until age 103, overcoming stunning challenges across two continents and two centuries. As one of her grandchildren noted: “we’ve lost our guiding light.”
Finally stopped by her brief illness, she had enjoyed excellent health her whole life and maintained her passionate interest in current events and newspapers. At her passing, she may very well have been the oldest, active, reader/subscriber to The Wall Street Journal in the United States. Reading greatly enriched her life and to her final days she ceaselessly encouraged others to read to learn more.
She is survived by her sister, Carmen Picans Brea of La Estrada, Spain; and her five sons, Manuel Conde, of Nederland, TX; Tony Conde, of Katy, TX; Francisco Conde, of Frisco, TX, and Louis Conde and John Conde, both of San Diego, Calif.
She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Melissa, Tasha and Jamie; Sophie, Francesca and John; and Paula and Tico. Survivors also include great-grandchildren, Kira and Blake; Abby, Hannah and Jaxon; Bryce, Katie and Gavin; and great-great-grandchildren, Theodore, Clyde, Claire and Casimiro.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Isolina Brea Marque; her father, Serafin Picans Mato; brother, Manuel Picans Brea; brother, Jose Miguel Picans Brea; sister, Amparo Picans Brea; brother, Serafin Picans Brea; and sister Felisa Picans Brea.
Her funeral service will be held at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur with visitation from Noon to 2 p.m., Monday, April 6, 2026.
Benedicta will be laid to rest, next to her late husband, Casimiro, on Monday, April 6, in the mausoleum of Greenlawn Memorial Park of Groves, Texas. For her family, she has now gone from “a guiding light” to “a star lighting our sky.’
