Gladys B. Francis

Gladys Berro Francis, age 91, of Scott Township, formerly of Crafton, passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024 after a beautiful life journey guided by love and family.  Gladys was born on June 18, 1932 in La Plata, Argentina.   Pre-deceased in death by her parents, Pedro Berro and Isabel Latorre, and brother Hugo Berro.  

She was the beloved wife of the late Daniel Victor Francis and former wife of Ralph Corriden.   Loving mother of Rafael (Sandy) Francis.   Special grandmother of Luke, Lydia, and Liam Francis.  Dear stepmother of Steven (MaryAnn), Martin (Kelly) Francis and the late Daniel and Christopher (Sherry) Francis.  Also, many loving step-grandchildren; Daniel, Kelly, Morgan, Kendall, Colette, Corinne, Nicholas, Jontel, and Jovan.  She is also survived by loving nieces and nephews from Argentina; Pablo, Valeria, Leandro, and Mariela.   

Gladys grew up in La Plata, Argentina where she became an English teacher.  At the age of 35, she met her husband-to-be Daniel V. Francis who was working and living in Argentina at the time.  They fell in love and spent some years together in Argentina, joined by Daniel’s sons who attended St. George’s College in Quilmes, Argentina.  In 1970, Gladys would leave her country, friends, and family to start a new phase of her life, marrying Daniel and becoming part of a new family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  In Pittsburgh, she gave birth to her only child, Rafael.  She was an adoring mother and professionally went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Linguistics from the University of Pittsburgh, hold multiple collegiate-level teaching positions for English as a Second Language (ESL), and co-author a book about ESL which was sold widely to academic institutions throughout the country and overseas.

After the passing of Daniel and Rafael’s marriage to Sandy, Gladys would ultimately pour her love and energy into her grandchildren, Luke, Lydia, and Liam.   Along the way she would also find love and companionship with Ralph Corriden and enjoy a strong network of international friends in the South Hills of Pittsburgh.  As she did with Rafael and Sandy, she would put her grandchildren’s needs before her own.   She adored them more than anything in life.  She would gladly care for them whenever Rafael & Sandy needed; she would teach them Spanish, fill their bellies with her wonderful cooking, and generally spoil them as grandmothers do.  

Family and friends are welcome 5-8 p.m. Friday, WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp., 15220, (412-563-2800) and Saturday 8:30 until time of transfer prayers at 9:30 a.m. with a Mass of Chrisitan Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday in SS Simon & Jude Church, St. Raphael the Archangel Parish.   

If desired, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in her honor.   www.slaterfuneral.com