Fanny Marie Rochester

Here’s the obituary for Fanny Rochester:

Fanny Marie Rochester began her life’s journey on September 24, 1930 in Los Angeles, California as the second child of her mother, Fannie Redemption and father Taylor Joseph Hughes, Sr. The family, along with her older brother, Taylor Joseph Jr., relocated from Macon, Georgia to California in hopes of a better future.

Shortly after her birth, her family returned to Macon, but soon realized there were better opportunities in New York. The family soon settled in the Bronx, where Fanny grew up. While she attended Walton High School, she met her future husband Philip Randolph Gerard who attended the nearby boy’s school Samuel Gompers. After graduation from school, she was proud to get a job at Macy’s where one of her responsibilities was at the famous Thanksgiving Day parade, where she was a balloon handler.

Fanny and Philip married in 1951 and started their family with the birth of Laura Christina in 1952 then followed by Philip Jr. in 1956. Fanny and Philip followed her parents to the suburbs of Long Island, New York as a result of Philip’s promotion to Detective in the New York Police Department. On Long Island, Fanny lived next door to her mother in Amityville, where she became active in the church and founded the Inter-Racial Society at Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church. This Society’s goal was to bring understanding between Black and White families in the community.

The family increased with the births of Joseph Emanuel in 1968 and Andrea Elizabeth in 1970. Fanny also welcomed many foster children into the home throughout the years. While raising a family, Fanny began working outside the home again studying to be a CNA first, then later as an LPN at various nursing homes on Long Island. Fanny found this was a career she loved as she was able to help people, while contributing to the family.

Fanny’s marriage to Philip ended. She remarried and relocated to Palm Bay, Florida. Fanny started working as a supervisor at Easter Seals and continued her education, earning her Bachelor of Science in 2004. During this time she also worked as a crossing guard and volunteered for the City of Palm Bay.

Fanny retired and moved to Indiatlantic Beach, Florida where she enjoyed relaxing and fishing at the beach. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, foster children and many friends who loved her every day of her life!

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Her Journey Began

September 24, 1930

Los Angeles, California

Joined the Ancestors

October 9, 2022

Palm Bay, Florida

Memorial Service

Fountainhead Funeral Home

7359 Babcock Street SE

Palm Bay, Fl 32909

Final Resting Place

Fountainhead Memorial Garden

Palm Bay, Florida

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FountainheadFuneralHome.com for the Gerard family.