Maria Fernandez

Mrs. Maria Del Refugio Fernandez, 82, was called by the Lord to His heavenly kingdom on Thursday, November 15, 2018. She was surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Lampazos, Nuevo Leon on August 3, 1936 to the late Pedro and Petra Garcia, and lived in Laredo, Texas almost her entire life. A devout catholic, Mom leaves behind the most precious legacy imaginable of faith in God. Always looking out for what was best for her children, she made sure that we inherited what will carry us through anything for the rest of our lives.

In celebration of her life, we hear the echo of “no hay mal que por bien no venga” and “dejalo en manos de Dios”. We also remember trivial things as her “tortilla de harina” when we were growing up. We have never found any better ones anywhere.

She was an extraordinary mother, wife, sister, and grandmother who adored her family. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy never missing any of their events and always being the biggest advocate warrior for her family. In 1955 she married the love of her life and together had five children. They loved each other dearly till her last breath and left the perfect example of a good marriage for all of us to follow. They were married for 62 years and renewed their vows at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on their 25th and 50th anniversary. They were avid baseball fans and never missed any professional games in Laredo.

She was very devoted to our Blessed Virgin Mary as she prayed the rosary for her children daily. She never missed her 3:00 o’clock prayer, The Devine Mercy Chaplet, never missed Sunday Mass, and for many years attended faithfully to Perpetual Adoration to accompany our Precious Lord.

She was talented in many areas but her biggest joy came in designing and sewing wedding dresses during her earlier years, for many people as she also worked as a professional seamstress for a children’s clothing company called, Howard B. Wolf Manufacturing Company.

She lived a simple life with such charm and grace and with much joy and energy.

She will be remembered by all for her warmth love, loving spirit, and generous hospitality. She was a second mom to all her children’s friends during their early and formative years. She lived a life of service which she instilled on all her children and was always the first one there to encourage, and to lend a helping hand to all her children, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and neighbors. She always saw the positive outcome of every situation.

She was preceded in death by parents; Pedro and Petra Garcia and by her brother Hector Garcia.

Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband; Alfonso Fernandez, children: Manuel (Edelmira) Fernandez, Petra (Antonio) Vela, Alfonso (Norma) Fernandez, Jr., Sonia (Abrahan) Rubio, and Joel (Nayelly) Fernandez, grandchildren: Mayra Marlene, Toni Lynette, Dr. Jessica M. Stull, Alfonso III, Manuel Jr., Linda Christina, Abrahan Jr., Erick Peter, Eva Amanda, Alejandro, Ermilio Leon, and Enrique Alfonso, great-grandchildren; Penelope, Andrea, and Gabriel, siblings: Hortencia, Gilberto, Pedro, Juan, Trinidad, Angelina, and Guadalupe.

The family will be receiving condolences on Monday evening, November 19, 2018 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday morning, November 20, 2018 departing at 8:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Road, Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.