Frances Jolenta Correa

Frances Jolenta Correa was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on November 6th, 1934, the only child of Manuel and Cecilia Gouveia. She grew up in Kalihi and Kaimuki on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, during the Great Depression and World War II.

One of her most vivid memories about World War II had to do with when she and her mom were walking to church on Sunday, December 7th, 1941. She distinctly remembered seeing the Japanese war planes flying overhead on their way to bomb Pearl Harbor. Though only seven years old, she remembered how they ran home. And once there, though told to get under her bed for safety, she instead crawled into bed, pulled the covers over her head, and waited for the nightmare to pass.

In Kalihi, she attended St. Anthony School. She then attended Sacred Hearts Academy in Kaimuki. She graduated from Sacred Hearts in 1952. In November 1953, she married Herman Clifford Correa of Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii. Our parents had six children: Herman Ray, Tom, Vernon, Howard, Valerie, and Joan.

Mom worked at the Sheraton Hotel in Waikiki and at Sea Life Park in Waimanalo until our family moved to Hayward, California, in 1972, where she worked for K-Mart in sales. After retiring, Mom and Dad enjoyed driving across country and taking trips on cruise ships. But, more than anything else, throughout Mom's life, she always looked forward to doing things with our family. From attending birthday celebrations to our family's huge Christmas party, Mom loved her large family and being surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In 2001, Mom and Dad bought a home in the Castle Oaks Golf Course community in Ione, California. After Dad passed away in 2005, Mom stayed busy with ladies' groups, playing cards and a dice game called "Bunco," and she even joined a "Red Hat" Club. In 2014, she even went to Los Angeles to attend the television show, The Price Is Right..

On November 16th, 2022, Mom was admitted to a hospital because of Congestive Heart Failure. By late December, she was placed in hospice care. While initially trying to stay active by playing cards with her friends, it was hard on her. Of course, there were times after Mom mistakenly took an extra turn during some board game, or when playing cards. She'd get very embarrassed and say laughingly, "You'll miss me when I'm gone."

In April of this year, she became unable to walk or use a walker. Confined to her bed, she required 24/7 coverage. She passed away on October 21, 2025, in her sleep.

As for Mom, who always wanted a big family because she was an only child, today she's survived by her son Tom and his wife, Deanna; her son Vernon and his wife, Kimberly; her son Howard and his wife, Sharon; her daughter Valerie and her husband, Travis; and her daughter Joan. She has been a grandmother to 24 grandchildren, and "G.G." (great grandma) to 25 great-grandchildren.

As for us, her family, we promised to keep her at home, to care for her, keep her comfortable, and love her. We kept our promise because we've been blessed to have such a wonderful Mom. And yes, we will all truly miss her.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 10:00 A.M. followed by an 11:00 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 11361 Prospect Dr. Jackson, CA. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 26320 Mission Blvd., Hayward, CA.