Rafaela Villalon de Fernandez

Rafaela was born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba on October 24, 1924. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Havana in July 1946 and continued on to receive her Doctorate degree in Education in August 1959. She also attended the school of Conservatory Music in Santiago de Cuba and received the Diploma - Professor of Piano, Theory, and Solfeggio at the age of seventeen.

Rafaela was married to Manuel A. Fernandez on February 6, 1954.

She worked in the education field first as a Kindergarten teacher and then a college professor at the University of Oriente until 1961.

After the Castro Revolution, she and her family migrated to the United States in June 1969 and started a new life in Torrance, California.

She is survived by her Children Manny J. Fernandez and Jose A. Fernandez, eight Grandchildren, and eleven Great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at the Pacific View Memorial Park & Mortuary in Corona Del Mar, California.

Rosary and viewing services will be on Friday, May 1st and Mass and Interment will on Saturday, May 2nd.

Attendance for both services will be limited to immediate family only because of the state’s limited gathering regulations.