Mrs. Francisca Picardi, age 91, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2022, in her home in Houston, Texas. She was born May 2nd, 1931, in Havana, Cuba. Better known as Paquita (Mami to her children, Abuela to her grandchildren, and Bibi to her great grandchildren). At 18, she married Dr. Blas Picardi and had four children.

In 1968, with unrest in Cuba as communism set in, the family fled to Madrid, Spain before settling in Houston, Texas. Houston became home to the thriving Picardi clan as the booming city and medical center offered foreign physicians the opportunity to practice medicine again.

Paquita had a love for fabrics and embroidery.  As a young woman, she enjoyed tailoring her own clothes. Later, she designed and embroidered the finest baby trousseau fit for royalty for her children and  grandchildren. She diligently cross stitched beautiful heirloom Christmas stockings for her family.

She had an undying passion for traveling. Italy  was her favorite destination, as well as spending the summers on the beach in Florida.

She truly enjoyed the 'all girls and children' yearly trips to different destinations in Texas, but especially the notorious Black Friday shopping sprees to San Marcos outlets every year after Thanksgiving.  The family would shop all day, go eat dinner and go back to the stores till past 2 a.m.  She would just say how crazy we were, but she was always along for the ride, never tired or complained.

She was an excellent cook. There is no better paella in the world than the one she made. The same can be said for her arroz con pollo, spaghetti sauce, and ropa vieja.

Paquita was a loving mother, and an adoring and doting grandmother and great grandmother. She had a generous spirit and particularly loved Christmas time.

She was the matriarch of the family. Her presence, disposition, daily phone calls, and smile will surely be missed by all her friends and family. The family trips and vacations will never be the same again without her. She's left many wonderful memories and a rich legacy of life lessons to live by.  She made this statement a few days before she entered heaven: "I had a great life and I traveled a lot"

Paquita was preceded in death by her father, Pedro Sánchez of Barcelona, Spain, her mother, Concepción Balseiro of Galicia, Spain, her husband, Blas Picardi of Havana, Cuba, her son in law Alan Vaughan, and most of her friends.

She is survived by her four children: Delia Picardi-Alvarez (Nelson), Rosa Picardi Valeri, Angel Valeri, Miriam Picardi- Vaughan, and Blas Picardi Jr. (Kasey). Six grandchildren: Michael Valeri (Amanda), Danny Alvarez (Pauline),

Nicole Valeri Garrett (Nicco), Carolina Vaughan Trant (David), Summer Alvarez, and Blas Picardi III. And five great grandchildren: Isabella and Dillon Valeri, Marcus Alvarez, Noelle and Nolan Garrett. Her sister, Margarita Iglesias. Nephews Alex and George Iglesias and families, and her niece, Rosa Mendez-Monsanto and family.

She reminded us of how fragile life is and no matter how long it is, it never feels like enough.

The family would like to thank the tireless care givers Adelaida Figueroa and Leticia Figueroa.  We are very thankful for the love, dedication and care you poured into Mami and to us.

We would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at Memorial Hermann Southwest for the kindness and sweet care shown to Mami in her last days of life.

Honoring Paquitas wishes, the family will have

a private funeral.   Pastor Nicco Garrett to officiate.

The American Lung Association was dear to Paquita's heart. The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to:

https://www.lung.org/get-involved/ways-to-give