Rafaela Josefina Fernandez
Home:
Bradenton, FL
Date of Death:
March 9, 2010
Age:
90
Birthdate:
October 24, 1919
Place of Birth:
Guanabacoa, La Habana, Cuba
Service Information:
Friday, March 12, 2010 10:30 AM St. James R.C. Church, Totowa, NJ
Visitation:
Private at the request of the family
Interment:
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa, NJ

Fernandez, Rafaela Josefina (nee Alfonso Yanes), age 90 of Bradenton, FL at rest in Bradenton, FL on March 9, 2010.  Rafaela was family oriented and was especially fond of her grandchildren. Beloved wife of the late Miguel Angel Fernandez (1984). Loving Mother of Cari Lami and her husband Bill of North Haledon and Nery Alvarez and her husband Albino of Bradenton, FL.  Grandmother of Bill Lami Jr. and his wife Geovanna, Henry Alvarez and his wife Christine and Lisette Alvarez-Verbiski and her husband David.  Great grandmother of Marissa Alvarez.  Sister of Consuelo.   Born in Guanabacoa, La Habana, Cuba she came to the United States in 1967 residing in Paterson for most of her life then briefly in Pompton Lakes before moving to Bradenton, FL.  She was a Machine Operator for Modern Creative Inc., Paterson.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral mass at St. James R.C. Church, Totowa on Friday at 10:30 AM.  Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.  In lieu of flowers donations to the Kidney Foundation of NJ, 1250 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 and/or the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011,Washington, DC 20090-6011, would be appreciated.  

 

 


Cari March 10, 2010
Happy, caring, selfless, but most of all LOVING.

Sal Mania March 11, 2010
Bill and Cari, We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. With deepest Sympathy, Sal and Cathy Mania

Billy Jr. March 12, 2010
My grandmother had an immovable spirit. From a very young age, she was the caretaker of her sick mother and her family, having to leave school while her father worked. Later on in life, after marrying my grandfather and having two children, she had to overcome the pain of leaving the rest of her family behind in Cuba in order to escape the clutches of communism to have a better life in the United States. She lost her husband very early on, who died in his 60's. My abuela went through numerous surgeries to remove cancer from her body, dialysis three times a week, all while suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Yet despite all this, she never, ever complained and, when asked how she was doing, she always replied, “Yo estoy bien” (I’m fine). She always thought of others before herself, and helped raise me and my two cousins , Henry and Lisette, who loved to run around the house and drive her crazy. My grandmother had the inner strength of a tiger, despite her soft and fragile exterior. Her patience, love, and concern for others, despite all the many hardships she endured, serves as proof that we can overcome any challenges in our life, while never losing ourselves to the chaos. Her nurturing love and her strength was the greatest gift she ever gave to our family. We will forever love you Abuelita!