Obituary of Maria Espirito Santo de Jesus Fernandes

In Memory of Maria Espirito Santo de Jesus FernandesMay 31st, 1936 – January 3rd, 2020It is with heavy hearts that the family of Maria Fernandes announces her peaceful passing on the early morning of Friday January 3rd, 2020 in Mississauga, Ontario. Beloved wife of Manuel Fernandes. Loving mother of Guida Fernandes and Hope Knight (Michael Dolejsi). Proud grandmother of Jennifer Lymer (Michael Lymer) and Joshua Knight (Tascha Hoogendam) and great grandchildren Jack, Ben and Finn. Maria worked for over 25 years for the ROM and was an active member of the Portuguese Community through her involvement with the Madeira Club and the Igreja de Christo Rei, her home parish in Mississauga. Family and friends will be received for a Viewing at Scott Funeral Home, 420 Dundas Street E, Mississauga, Ontario on Wednesday January 8th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be celebrated at Igreja de Christo Rei at 3495 Confederation Pkwy in Mississauga on Thursday January 9th at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Internment at 11:00 a.m. at Assumption Cemetery at 6933 Tomken Road in Mississauga. Celebration of Life to follow at Roma Italian Restaurant, 6350 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, all are welcome.Maria was born in Madeira, Portugal in 1936 to her loving parents Cláudio and Clara De Nóbrega. She was the youngest of 8 siblings, Rosairinha, José, João, Conceição, Fernando, José Pedro and José Luis. Maria always worked to help her family within the home and in their family business at the wicker factory. In 1955, she married her loving husband Manuel Fernandes and soon after, had their beautiful daughters Guida and Hope. In 1957, Manuel began the families’ immigration journey to Toronto, Canada followed by Maria, Guida and Hope in 1959. They all embraced their new life in Canada and worked tirelessly towards success in their new home. Maria worked a variety of jobs as a seamstress and custodial worker before beginning her career at the ROM for over 25 years, from where she retired. She was a loving mother and grandmother who always had the time to care for her family. She instilled in them a love for gardening, cooking, sewing, fashion, Catholicism and a beautiful connection with their roots and family in the Island of Madeira. Maria was a kind, strong and gentle matriarch who strove to provide her family with the skills and education they needed to be successful. She will be forever missed by her family and friends.In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Maria’s name at: https://www.heartandstroke.ca