79R14466 MDM-D

By:  Wong                                                         H.R. No. 1389



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times, loving 
moments, and meaningful accomplishments may comfort the family and 
friends of Tena Loverde Ferrara who died on April 17, 2005, at the 
age of 94; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Dickinson on January 29, 1911, Mrs. Ferrara 
grew up in a family with eight sisters and two brothers and derived 
great joy from school and sports; she learned to cook and sew as a 
junior high school student, and her talent in both areas served her 
well throughout her lifetime; an exceptional seamstress and a great 
cook, she often helped her sisters with their professional wedding 
seamstress work, and she used fresh herbs from her own garden for 
such special dishes as her legendary pasta sauce; and
	WHEREAS, The former Tena Loverde married Richard Ferrara in 
1932 and the couple lived in New Orleans for the first few years of 
their marriage; they later moved back to Houston to be near her 
large, close-knit family; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Ferrara and her husband shared an enduring 
union for 67 years until his passing; they enjoyed ballroom dancing 
and listening to music, particularly big band and Latin rhythms, 
and going crabbing and crawfishing and picking dewberries with 
their three children; Mrs. Ferrara also loved her garden and her 
gardening efforts paid off in beautiful roses and lilies, an 
abundance of vegetables, and the herbs she used in her cooking; and
	WHEREAS, Tena Ferrara was truly a blessing in the lives of 
countless people, and she will long be remembered for her abiding 
faith and generous heart and the enjoyment she found in her life; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Tena Loverde Ferrara 
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her 
children and their spouses, Richard and Lois Ferrara, Lucia and 
Michael Bettler, and Mary Jo and Mike Piwetz; to her grandchildren, 
Rick and Claudia Ferrara, Lisa Ferrara, Lynn and Steve Fagerstrom, 
Jessica and Billy Long, and Emily Piwetz; to her 
great-grandchildren, Juan Fagerstrom and Jeffrey and Maddie Long; 
and to all who mourn the passing of this beloved woman; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Tena 
Loverde Ferrara.