Cav. Luciana Cardigno Cristadoro

Educator and Promoter of the Italian Culture

Luciana Cardigno Cristadoro, of L'Aquila, Italy, passed away on January 27, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas.

Luciana was born in L'Aquila, Italy to Paris Cardigno & Giuseppina Roldo. While in Italy she attended the University of Rome, La Sapienza and received Doctorate degrees in Philosophy and Pedagogy. In 1955, she moved to San Antonio, Texas where she attended Incarnate Word College and earned a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education and a Master in Education from Our Lady of the Lake University. She worked her entire career as a school educator and served the Edgewood Independent School District as a school principal for 37 years. Among her many accomplishments, she was honored as an Outstanding Teacher of America. She was also recognized and visited by President Richard Nixon's daughter, Trisha Nixon Cox, for her outstanding work in elementary education for minority students.

Luciana spent her life giving back to the community sharing her love and passion for the Italian language and culture. She held free Italian language classes to beginning and advanced students at the Christopher Columbus Italian Society for 33 years and also served as a voluntary language teacher at ALIR (Academy of Learning In Retirement) at the North East Independent School District. She was an official translator and interpreter for the Italian Government and the Consulate General of Italy in Houston, Texas. When not teaching and translating she was heavily involved in the Columbus Society Ladies Auxiliary, The Ladies of UNICO, The Sons of Italy Coppini Chapter, and the Italian Cultural Center. Her promotion and protection of the Italian Culture did not go unnoticed and in 1974 she was conferred the title of Cavaliere (Knight) of the Italian Republic by the President of the Italian Republic. In 2009, she was again recognized by the President of the Italian Republic and received the Italian medal "Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta" (Order of the Star of Solidarity).

Luciana enjoyed traveling, especially to visit her family in Italy and Houston. During one of her many trips to Italy, she, along with her family, had the privilege to have a private audience with Saint John Paul II, where she extended an invitation to him to visit the people of San Antonio.

She loved to be with her grandchildren and was extremely proud of their many accomplishments. She was a great cook, and took great pride in preparing her traditional Italian dishes. She was very proud of her Italian heritage and instilled that pride in her children and grandchildren. She was truly a protector of the Italian culture.

Luciana is preceded in death by her parents Paris Cardigno & Giuseppina Roldo, her sister Elena Tonno and brother, Giuseppe (Beppe) Cardigno.

Luciana is survived by her loving husband Francesco Cristadoro, son, Paolo Cristadoro, and daughter, Carlamarina Cristadoro Fresquez and their spouses Beth Cristadoro and Juan Fresquez, and grandchildren Louisa and Annalisa Cristadoro, Diego, Lorenzo and Gabriella Fresquez and step-grandson, Matthew Dugi. Luciana is also survived by her sisters Bruna Lato and Maria Pietriferni, sister in laws Anna Cristadoro, Miranda Cristadoro, brother-in-law Giuseppe Cristadoro and spouse Elena and brother-in-law Ulderico Cristadoro and spouse Fausta and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 3, 2017 at The Angelus Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at St. Paul Catholic Church followed by internment at Sunset Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Paolo Cristadoro, Juan Fresquez, Diego Fresquez, Lorenzo Fresquez, Domenico Ciccarelli and Giovanni Cavatorta.

Memorials may be given to St Jude Children's Research Hospital.