Elaine M. Fernandez

Our sweet, loving Elaine (Nonna) passed away on Wednesday, January 8th while visiting family in Pennsylvania. She was born in New Orleans, LA, but was a lifelong and proud New Yorker. Daughter of Manuel and Hortense Fernandez, she attended Holy Name Elementary School and the High School of the Blessed Sacrament on the Upper West Side.

Many lifelong friends came from working at General Foods in White Plains, NY as a Visitor Relations Associate. She loved the sense of community it provided. She loved going to work and would rebuff people who asked her when she was planning on retiring. She would look at them with a slight disdain and say, “No thank you." She worked at American Express as a Wang Word Processor assistant, and then as an executive secretary to a VP Controller. She then moved to the medical departments of Smith Barney, Citigroup and then JPMorgan Chase. She was determined to get into the new JPMC building, opening later this year.

She worked full-time, had standing dinner dates on Saturday and Sunday nights with friends. She would go to plays and movies, even by herself, to be part of the life around her. She enjoyed her pinot grigio, books, reading The NYTimes and Wall Street Journal, shopping at Home Goods, and gathering with friends and family. She took TRX fitness classes, she took a class “everyone can sing” and sang the oldies of her time. She would share with the people she loved magazine articles, books, health tips, face creams, recipes, and anything else she thought you might enjoy. She was a wonderful listener, and she thought of people constantly. The doorman she got tea for every Sunday, the candy she brought into the office.

She had a curious mind for almost any topic. She was interested and interesting. She would say “you learn until you die” and that she did. She went to Washington School for Secretaries and took classes and NYU and Hunter College. She loved history, current events, and an occasional romance novel.

Elaine had deep faith, and prayed to the Holy Spirit everyday for enlightenment, guidance and prayers. She would often say “let go and let God”. Her faith got her through all her uncertain times.

Lady Elaine is survived by her daughter Lisa Dowd, son-in-law Louis Oswald, and her wonderful grandson Jack. Her brother Joe Fernandez, sister-in-law Trudy and wonderful nieces. She had extended friends and family that she loved tremendously and enjoyed every moment chatting, laughing, and dancing with them. She lived life courageously, spiritually, independently, driven with kindness and love. She didn’t let many moments pass her by.

She will be missed by many, and she will remain in the hearts of all she encountered during her lifetime. That is her legacy. We love you more Mom.

In lieu of flowers, please pass on a kindness to someone. A gesture of friendship is something my Elaine did every single day for people. It is the family’s request that you continue this in her name.

A memorial visitation for Elaine will be held Friday, February 21, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Frank E. Campbell - The Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Ave, New York, New York 10028.

A funeral mass will occur Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 9:30 AM at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 980 Park Ave, NY, New York. A reception will follow mass at St. Ignatius Loyola Church's Wallace Hall.