Maria "Charito" Rosario Fernandez de Henestrosa

Late in the evening of March 18th during a brief beautiful snowfall, surrounded by her three sons, our mother Charito slipped away.

Maria del Rosario “Charito” Fernandez de Henestrosa (nee Calvo Resino) was predeceased by the love of her life Manuel in 2022. She is survived by her boys and their families. Victor, his wife Christine (Ouimet) and their children Michael and Matthew, Louis, and his wife April (Wong) and their children Christopher and Sarah, and Richard and his children Allison and Nicholas.

Charito was the proud matriarch of our family, and we will miss her greatly! Growing up we had a loud home filled with great food and laughter. Her sense of humour extended to the many friends we would invite over for one of her delicious meals. She loved to laugh, and no one was immune to her playful ribbing. Our friends and family loved her for that too! We were blessed. Charito loved spending time outdoors gardening, enjoying patio meals or just sitting in the sun reading. No matter the weather she would bundle us up, often in matching outfits, sending us outside to play until she would call us back with distinct whistle codes. Our Mother taught us empathy and instilled the importance of family and of serving others. She herself volunteered throughout her life including at our church, our school and at North York General Hospital.

Charito was born in the small village of Velada Spain near Toledo, to parents Jesus Calvo and Maria Resino and lived with her brothers and sisters Jesus, Jorge, Marina, and Yolanda. Being a military family, they moved around to several towns and villages across their country, and she told us stories of places “Logroño” (colder than Canada), and “el Mar Menor” (saltier than the ocean). They finally settled in the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca. She so enjoyed returning to Mallorca to visit her family and friends.

At 21 years old Charito moved to the bright lights of Madrid where she met our father, Manolo, who just weeks after meeting, moved to Canada. After a year of romantic letter writing, Charito agreed to marry him and joined him in Canada. She loved telling us stories of how they met. “Your dad kept coming to my desk asking me for sheets of paper…how much paper does one man need?” she would say laughing.

When we were in elementary school Charito herself went back to school at York University. She worked tirelessly at home then took night classes until graduating to become a teacher. Her perseverance and commitment to achieve the career she always wanted was an example to all of us. We were so proud of her and took joy in knowing she was proud of herself.

Charito was a personality seen by us as larger than life, with chunky jewelry, full make-up, bright scarves and flowing dresses. My father used to say my mother was more beautiful than Sophia Loren. She had many friends at home and abroad, in Spain, Belgium and the U.S. She loved to socialize, and had fun with her many groups of friends and neighbours until this past year when her health took a sad turn. How she missed ‘la Culinaria’ and ‘las cartas’. Her friends meant so much to her.

We owe heartfelt thanks to Julie and Alberta, two incredibly kind caregivers from Green-Lafleur who showed love and compassion during our mother’s final days and helped her to pass with dignity. We also owe our profound gratitude to the many women and men at Chartwell Hollandview Trail Retirement Home who supported our mom in her final residence and for sincerely caring about her, and for her, with gentleness and respect until the very end. Finally, we thank them for making her laugh.

Memorial visiting will be held on Sunday April 2, 2023 at the Kane-Jerrett North York Chapel from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday April 3, 2023 at 10:00 am at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 21 Simonston Blvd. Thornhill Ontario, followed by in-urnment at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, (Don Mills Rd, south of Steeles Ave.)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kanejerrettnorthyork.ca for the Fernandez de Henestrosa family.