Frances Ledesma

Mom was born in Burbank, California, to Candelaria Olivan Ramos and Cresencio Ramos. She is one of 12 siblings, and the last surviving. Her brothers and sisters are, Nestor Ramos, Frank Ramos, Dominga Rodriguez, Elizabeth Reynoso, John Ramos, Sarah Munoz, Woodrow Ramos, David Ramos, Anita Keene, Edward Ramos, and Erlinda Ramos.

The family traveled as Itinerate Farm Workers throughout the state for many years, and eventually settled in San José, California. As the siblings grew older and married, some began to settle in nearby surrounding cities, and Grandma relocated to Santa Clara.

She graduated 8th grade from Peter Burnette Jr. High School. Although she desperately wanted to attend High School, her father pulled her out of school to work to help support the family. When old enough she worked in the local Canneries.

In 1946 she met and married Joseph L. Ledesma. They eventually settled in Santa Clara to raise their children. The marriage ended in divorce, twice, which left Frances to be the main parent and provider to raise their four children, Joseph Ledesma, Jr. (Joey), Ben Ledesma (Benny), Alexandria Ledesma Hubbard (Alex or Al), and David Ledesma (Davy). She lost an infant Daniel in 1948.

In the 60's with the birth of the "Electronic Industry”, later to become Silicon Valley, she took specialized training to become an Assembler at Fairchild Semiconductor, where she worked for many years. Mom loved dressing up in a variety of coordinated outfits that she designed and had professionally tailored for the local dances. She also loved her bright red 1959 Cadillac convertible. She had a wooden block attached to the accelerator pedal so she could reach it. She stood 4ft 11 inches tall.

On May 20, 1967, Joey was killed in the Vietnam War. He was 20 years old. The biggest tragedy of Mom's life, becoming a Gold Star Mother.

Upon her retirement she remained in San José. Benny died in New Jersey on August 19, 2010. She is survived by Alexandria Hubbard and David Ledesma; four grandchildren, Rosie Hubbard, Keith Joseph Hubbard, Jennifer Clayton, and Marisa Ledesma; three great grandchildren Katie Ledesma, Danielle Ledesma, and Reed Clayton.

Mom will be laid to rest with Joey, in an extra deep grave she purchased in 1967. Benny's cremains are also located there.