Tresa (Giacobone) Madonna

HUDSON FALLS – For those of you that have had the privilege to know Tresa (Giacobone) Madonna, we would like to share with you that Our Lord has called Tresa to her eternal life at the age of 91. On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 Tresa’s pain and suffering ended after a brief illness with cancer. Her wish to be in the comfort of her home with her loved ones by her side was granted. During her illness her faith gave her the strength to be strong and she handled it with stoic grace.

Tresa was born on May 12, 1932, the third daughter to Addiego and Julia (DeMonico) Giacobone. She and her two sisters were raised by loving parents, who instilled the importance of family, a strong work ethic and to trust that their faith would guide them through life’s journey. The girls would often be seen riding their bikes, selling fresh eggs from the coop, vegetables from their garden and in the fall season luscious concord grapes of their vines. The family grape arbors continue to this day and Tresa was picking, cleaning and pruning their grapevines just this last season. Tresa shared her concord grapes with neighbors, family and friends and would use what she had left to make jelly, juice and delicious grape pies.

Tresa graduated from Hudson Falls high school in 1949. She was a violinist in the orchestra and also enjoyed playing the accordion. She then started working as an office worker for Imperial Paint and Color. Her career continued into the early 1950’s, when O’Neil Madonna, a young man she knew most of her life, asked for her hand in marriage. During their engagement, while Neil served in the US Army, Tresa and her father built the Madonna homestead. This is just one example of why Tresa was referred to as “the boy her father never had”.

Tresa and Neil were married at St Mary’s church in Hudson Falls on June 20,1954 and over the next 5 years welcomed three beautiful daughters into their lives. Tresa stayed at home and raised her girls to love and be generous, teaching them the importance of having faith in God and to embrace their Italian heritage. She taught her children the importance of finding a balance of work and pleasure. Tresa was a loving and caring mother and made sure that her children knew that responsibility should always come first.

Tresa not only was a devoted wife and mother but always there to lend a helping hand. She was skilled at sewing, crocheting and knitting, making ceramics for her family and bowled in a league into her late 80’s. She loved being outdoors working in her flower beds and vegetable garden and took pride in maintaining her home. Tresa loved to both cook and bake. Year after year she carried on her mother’s traditional Italian recipes. Her homemade pasta, meatballs and sauce were always a Sunday favorite. At Christmas time she and her sister Anne (The Dynamic Duo) made a vast array of cookies; making trays to share with many. She paid close attention to detail and was very meticulous with everything she did.

Ma Madonna has left us, but her love, traditions and family values will live on forever. Her children and grandchildren were her priority and meant the world to her, as did her extended family and friends. She found great enjoyment in raising and training the family pets; Her love was great for them also. Our hearts are very sad and we will miss her endlessly but we are beyond grateful for the longevity of her healthy life and we will cherish all our memories of her forever. She was truly an inspiration and a remarkable woman.

Tresa is survived by her sister, Antoinette Giacobone; her daughters, Julia Madonna-Morris (Clayton), Donna Latimer, and Rosemary Madonna; grandchildren, Melissa Latimer, Michael Latimer and Juliana Morris; nephew, Edward Hodgkins (Michelle); sister-in-law, Marie (Mamie) Breen; along with several cousins and nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her beloved fur baby Zola who has been her loyal companion for almost 11 years.

Calling hours will be on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated for Tresa at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, at the Church of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s on the Park in Hudson Falls.

The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.

The family would like to thank the wonderful support team of family and friends that greatly assisted in caring for our mother during this trying time. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Maura, Patty, Josie and Chris who were the awesome members of the High Peaks Hospice team. Our sincerest appreciation to Dr. Petracca, Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Herlihy for the care and guidance given during this difficult time.

Memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the SPCA of Upstate New York, 588 Queensbury Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804.