Loda Madera

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Leokadia “Loda” Glowacka Madera was born in the village of Janiszewice in Poland to Edmund and Anna (Bryl) Glowacki. She had two younger siblings, a brother, Richard, who passed away at the age of one and a half and younger sister, Teresa.

Loda had a rich and interesting life, notwithstanding some trials and tribulations. In 1942, during WWII, at the age of 11, Loda and her family were forcefully removed from their home by German soldiers and transported to Reiste, Germany where they were put into forced labor on a large farm. Her parents worked on the farm while Loda cared for her younger sister, Teresa. In 1945, after the war had ended, Loda,14 years old at the time, was able to return to school at a Displaced Persons camp that had been set up for the war refugees. She would often say the best days of her life were when she was able to go back to school and make friends again. In 1949, her family made the decision to leave Germany and resettle in Brazil. They settled in the town of Curitiba, where Loda learned to sew and made a living as a seamstress to wealthy families. She saved her money and eventually bought herself a small piece of land on a hill overlooking the city. She often visited her property and imagined the type of house she would someday build for herself. That dream was never fulfilled because the future held other plans for Loda. She soon met her future husband, Franciszek “Frank” Madera. They married and started making plans to move to America. Loda had to sell her land to buy the plane tickets for her and Frank. They settled in the town of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Loda continued using her sewing skills, first in factory work and then as a tailor for Syms Clothing Stores in New Jersey. They would have three children, the oldest daughter, Donna, and twin sons, Teddy and Henry. Sadly, Henry passed away at three weeks of age. After she had raised her children and Frank had passed away, Loda continued working and managing her house and garden. Finally retiring at the age of 73 years. In 2005, she made the move to Houma, Louisiana to be close to her daughter and family and later followed her daughter to Fulshear, Texas. She lived in Fulshear until her death.

Loda loved her family, her friends and her faith. She was also loved and admired by many. Her smile lit up the room, and her personality drew people to her. Her quick wit made people laugh and her generosity and thoughtfulness were without limit. She loved to cook and was well known for her delicious Polish pierogi. She had a wicked green thumb and always enjoyed tending to her of flowers, bushes and trees. She was especially proud of and enjoyed tending to the many rose bushes she had planted.

Loda felt a deep appreciation for and pride in calling America home. She always said it was the best country in the world. Still, Loda loved and missed her homeland. She, Frank and the kids took several trips to reunite with relatives back home. After her retirement, she often dreamed of returning for a visit, but as it so often happens, time got away from her and her health waned. Loda was a strong and resilient woman and a loving mom, grandmother or “Babcia” in Polish, great-grandmother “Prababcia,” sister and aunt who will be remembered in our hearts and in our minds. It’s truly been an honor having her in our lives and we will miss her dearly.

Loda was a member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ. She later attended St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Houma, LA. After moving to Texas, she joined St. Faustina Catholic Church in Fulshear, TX, and remained a member until her death. She had also been a member of a chapter of the Sacred Heart Auxiliary in New Jersey.

Loda is preceded in death by her father and mother Edmund and Anna Glowacki; her husband Franciszek “Frank” Madera and her son Henry. She is survived by her daughter Donna and her husband David Farrar; granddaughter Kristin and her husband Patrick Braud, and their children Travis and Sunny; grandson Adam Farrar; son Teddy and his wife Kim Madera, her grandson Kyle and step-grandson Louis Raimondi, Jr.; sister Teresa Glowacka Kucek, nephew John and his wife Donna Kucek, and their daughter Kateri and husband Gabriel Ferreira; nephew Rich and his wife Peg Kucek; along with several relatives residing in Poland.

A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date. We will share details as soon as they are finalized.