Fernanda Jennie Antonio

Fernanda Antonio “Jennie” of Northfield, New Jersey passed away at the Madison House Nursing Home in Madison, Connecticut on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at the age of 91. Born in Brooklyn, New York on February 23, 1931, she graduated from high school in New York City, after which she trained and worked in NYC as a successful Barbizon Model.

Jennie and her family moved to south New Jersey in 1961 and she continued her modeling career with the Mary Burns Modeling Agency. This led Jennie to convention work and she became South Jersey’s “Polaroid Girl”. She later worked for Prudential and retired there after 20 years of service.

Jennie was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Rudolph John Antonio. Her daughter Julia Ann died in March. Her parents Juan Martin Quinonez and her mother Amina Baez Quinonez also predeceased her.

In her retirement, Jennie and family lived a snowbird’s life with a home in Estero, Florida, enjoying the sun, fun, tennis & fresh seafood. She was enchanted with pelicans, especially how they protect and nurture their offspring. This deepened her understanding of the symbolism of the pelican in her Catholic religion.

Jennie was a participant in the Red Hat Society Club of Southwest Florida. She assisted the organization by coaching fellow senior citizens for local fashion show luncheons.

In October 2022, Jennie moved to Connecticut to be with her son but became ill and was admitted to Hospice. A private funeral service will be held at the SWAN Funeral Home in Clinton CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to the Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, New Jersey. Condolences to the family may be offered at www.SwanFH.com.

Jennie is lovingly remembered by her sons Rudolph M. Antonio and Kevin J. Foley.