Obituary of Mrs. Mary Fernandez
After a lifetime of living, on November 8, 2024, in her 105th year, Mary Fernandez passed away peacefully at Sts. Peter & Paul Retirement Residence in Scarborough, surrounded by members of her loving family.
Mary was born on September 21st 1920 in Goa, India. After losing her parents at an early age, she spent her formative years living with her older siblings, Joe Fernandez in Quetta and Esme Rodrigues in Karachi. Within their families, she indulged her love of children, showering her affection on her many nieces and nephews. In due course, she met and married Joseph (Josie) Fernandes and went on to have six children. When it was evident that a better life for her children existed outside of Pakistan, she convinced Josie, despite all odds, to process papers to immigrate to Canada. She fervently believed that with God’s help, somehow they would manage. She and Josie, along with their young family of 6, arrived in Canada in 1965, initially residing in Montreal, Quebec, subsequently relocating to Scarborough, Ontario in 1981.
Mary was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, known for her deep abiding faith in God and love of family. She was an avid card player, an excellent dancer, and had a keen sense of fashion. Mary stayed active socially through her participation in various seniors’ organizations, such as the Canorient Seniors Club, the St. Francis Club, TEGSA, and the Catholic Women’s League (St. Barnabas Catholic Church), where she had ample opportunity to demonstrate her skills, to the admiration of many. Her independence, feisty spirit, and “never-give-up” attitude was a source of admiration and inspiration to all who met her.
Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband Josie and infant daughters Annabelle and Josephine. She is survived by her six beloved children: Christabelle (Angelo) Pereira, Patricia (Joseph) D’Souza, Dominic (Diane), Stan, Michael (Lisa), and Jane Marie (Tony) Fernandes, her precious grandchildren: Alanna (Kwesi), Garrett, Annabelle, Christopher (Melissa), Michael, Matthew (Kristalyn), Mikaela, Nicholas, Melissa, Kendra, and most precious of all, her great-grand daughters Esme and Maya.
The family would like to extend our sincerest thanks to Mum’s PSW Evigenia Yangaeva who patiently and lovingly cared for Mum in the last year and a half of her life as well as the wonderful staff at Sts. Peter & Paul’s Residence, who are to be commended for their compassionate care during Mary’s final weeks. Our thanks also go out to all relatives and friends who have made special efforts to connect with her over the last few years as her lack of mobility prevented social engagements.
Visitation at the Ogden Funeral Home, 4164 Sheppard Avenue East in Scarborough, will be held on Thursday November 14, 2024 from 4:00-7:00pm. Please join us in celebrating Mary’s long life; she will be deeply missed but is forever in our hearts. We miss you already Mum.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday November 15, 2024 at 1:00PM at St. Barnabas Parish, 10 Washburn Way, Scarborough, with interment at Pine Hills Cemetery 625 Birchmount Rd. also in Scarborough. Reception to follow - details to be advised.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul.
Condolences and memories may be shared to an online keepsake Tribute book at www.ogdenfuneralhome.com.
