Antonia G. "Toni" Bribriesco

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Celebrating the Life of Antonia Guadalupe Bribriesco

The final chapter in the human story of Antonia Guadalupe Bribriesco was written on September 13, 2025, when the angels took her home to heaven. Antonia “Toni’s” life was a life well lived, abundant with love, joy and devotion to her family and friends. Toni was a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Toni exemplified her values of resilience, gratitude, and belief that family always comes first - values she carried for nearly a century. Grandma brought the entire family together and instilled in her grandchildren that family was a strength. 

Toni enjoyed cooking for her family and was famous for her tamales, enchiladas, and apple pie. Toni made sure no one left the table hungry. Toni served as a den mother for cub scouts, volunteered at her children’s schools and was one of the first individuals to obtain a daycare license in the State of Iowa in the 1960’s. Toni will be remembered for the countless children whose lives were brightened by her compassion, guidance, and love. Toni was instrumental in raising her grandsons. 

Toni’s typical day for over a decade was going to the YMCA at 5:30 a.m. with son Bill. After her YMCA ritual of swimming, sauna, and whirlpool she would leave the Y at 7:00 a.m. to take care of her grandsons. Born on August 1, 1931, in Zacapu, Michoacan, Mexico to Antonio and Isidra Granados. On June 12, 1950, she married William “Manuel” Bribriesco in Zacapu. Toni courageously made the decision to marry a young man who she met two weeks earlier at a pharmacy where she worked. It was Manuel’s yellow sweater, smile, and charming personality that attracted her to him. After being wed, Toni, at the tender age of nineteen, journeyed with her new husband to Davenport, Iowa. When Toni arrived in Davenport in 1950, she knew no one, spoke only Spanish, and had never seen snow. Despite the challenges that were ahead, Toni took the hero’s path and thrived in making friends, learning English, and raising her three children - Rita, Bill and Terry. Toni was a devoted Catholic and regularly attended mass with Manuel. Toni enjoyed 54 years of marriage before Manuel’s passing in 2004. 

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Rita (Jack) Brautigam, son William (Maria) Bribriesco, grandsons Garry Fuller, Chris (Kara) Fuller, Alejandro (Brooke) Bribriesco, Anthony (Lexie) Bribriesco and Andrew (Jasmine) Bribriesco, great-grandchildren Ava, William, Marissa, Caliana, Joaquin, Paloma, Camilo, Alexander and Aiden, brother Ralph Granados of Davenport, sisters Carmen Villanueva Granados of Guadalajara Jalisco and Audelia Granados Jimenez, Zacapu Michoacan and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Antonio and Isidra Granados, husband, William Manuel Bribriesco, daughter Theresa K. Fuller, siblings Aleshia Granados, Ricardo Granados, Celedonia Granados, Georginia Granados, and Jorge Granados. Though our hearts are heavy, we celebrate a life that was long, full, and richly lived. Descanse en paz y, que dios le cuide mom, grandma, and “mama grande.” 

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 25th, at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home. Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 26th, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Davenport. Burial will be at the Rock Island Arsenal Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. A celebration of life will be held from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. at the Outing Club, 2109 N. Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa. 

Memorials may be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.