Ana Ricalo

Ana Ricalo died on December 2, 2024 in Houston, Texas. She was born in Cueto, Cuba on March 14, 1929. Ana came to the United States in 1967 with her husband Luis and her three daughters, Ana, Liliana and Libia. Ana came to the United States speaking no English, and with little formal education, and within five years of her arrival her beloved husband passed away. Yet through her iron will and determination, she maintained a beautiful home and ensured that her three daughters graduated from college and became successful professionals. Those daughters have over 130 years of marriage between them and gave Ana five grandchildren of whom she was justifiably proud. She also had four great-grandchildren, of whom she was equally proud while denying that she was old enough to be their great-grandmother. When she died, she still maintained her own beautiful home, although it was a rare concession to age she had recently allowed others to mow her lawn during the Houston summers. She also continued to drive, one of her last solo journeys having been to exercise her franchise in the democracy to which she had emigrated 57 years previously. That she drove at 95 years of age without running over any of her neighbors is more evidence of the existence of a benevolent God than testament to her driving acumen. Ana was the personification of the American dream and had the toughness and determination to make it a reality. Ana was predeceased by loving husband Luis Roberto Ricalo with whom she now resides in eternity. She is survived by her daughters, Ana Maria Ricalo Flint and her son-in-law Robert Flint, Liliana Ricalo Langlois and her son-in-law Raymond Langlois and Libia Ricalo Zucker and her son-in-law Jay Zucker. She is survived by her grandchildren Alan Flint and his wife Stephanie, Andrea Flint, Elliott Langlois and his wife Christen, Christine Langlois and Joni Zucker. She is survived by her great-grandchildren, Emma and Gabriel Flint and Lily and Cole Langlois. She is also survived by many loving extended family members throughout the United States and caring and devoted friends she made in her years living in Houston, Texas. They will miss her homemade lemon poppy seed cake and flan. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital and Harbour Hospice for their caring and compassion. They made Ana’s last days dignified and peaceful. In lieu of flowers the family would like a donation be made in her memory to : The Ronald McDonald House at Children’s Memorial Hermann. https://rmhchouston.org/donation-opportunities/

Ana Ricalo

March 14, 1929 - December 2, 2024