Silvia Adolfina Fernandez was born on October 5, 1939 in Ciego de Avila, Central Baragua, Camaguey, Cuba. She was the second daughter of Medardo Jimenez Espinosa and Mariana Miranda Jimenez. Silvia passed away peacefully on June 24, 2019 at the age of 79 in Downey, California.
Silvia spent most of her childhood in Camaguey, Cuba along with her sister, Melva Alicia, and many cousins and friends. As a child, Silvia studied at El Colegio de las Teresianas in both Ciego de Avila and Havana (boarding school). She continued her studies at El Instituto de Segunda Enseñanza de Morón later attending La Universidad Marta Abreu de Santa Clara, studying chemical engineering at both. On December 20, 1959, Silvia Jimenez married Jose Antonio Fernandez in Havana, Cuba.
As was the case for so many others of her time, the Cuban Revolution changed her life dramatically. She moved with her family to Santa Clara, Las Villas, Cuba and started working as a chemist at a penicillin factory. On February 9, 1962 she welcomed her first daughter, Ana Maria. Along with her family she continued to work and struggle through a changing political climate in Cuba. After many years of separation from family and friends, Silvia and Jose were finally allowed to leave their beloved Cuba to the United States as part of the “Freedom Flights”. On February 29, 1968 Silvia and her family arrived in the United States as political exiles, settling first in Maywood, California and later in Huntington Park. Silvia along with many other Cuban exiles made Southern California their new home, remembering and sharing their Cuban roots yet always grateful for the freedom that their new country had given them. Silvia worked hard to assimilate into many new traditions, embracing the American culture as well. On January 4, 1973, Silvia welcomed her second daughter, Aimee Maria. During those first years in the United States (“en el exilio”), Silvia worked at Universal Paper Goods and then at Atlantic Richfield Corporation. She eventually started working for Bank of America as a bank officer, retiring after 35 years. Silvia was an active member of La Cofradia de La Caridad del Cobre spending not only time socializing with her many dear friends but also volunteering countless hours choreographing traditional Cuban dances, organizing Cuban patriotic and cultural events, always sharing her love for Cuban music and dance, teaching many children and teens about their Cuban roots. She moved to Downey in 1992. Silvia was a devoted Catholic and an active parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Downey. Silvia had a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious laugh. She was loved by all those who knew her. She was a loyal and thoughtful friend to many. She struggled throughout her life with health issues yet was devoted to her daughters, her family and her friends. She loved attending mass, reading, going out to eat with her friends and always enjoyed special events and parties. She also looked forward to playing dominoes with her friends. She was an amazing cook (Cuban food of course!). Silvia was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Melva Ortiz (“Sumanita”) and her parents. She is survived by her husband, Jose Fernandez, her two daughters, Ana Fernandez-Garcia and Aimee Blanco and their spouses, Jorge Garcia and Manuel Blanco; her three grandchildren, Cristian Palma, Joshua Blanco and Emily Blanco; her beloved nieces, Alicia Dumas, Esther Mendez and Cristina Bazan as well as many other friends and family who will miss her dearly. Silvia passed away peacefully on June 24, 2019 at the age of 79 in Downey, California joining her Lord, her parents, sister and dear friends.
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