Maria "Angie" Fernandez

Our beloved mom passed away peacefully on March 9. Maria Angelita Fernandez was born in Winslow Arizona in 1924 to Jesus and Rita Puente. Angie lived in Gallup, New Mexico much of her childhood until she and her sister Geneva joined their father, who worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, in San Diego. She worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” at Convair. She and Geneva, along with their many friends, enjoyed dancing at the USO, where she met a handsome young Navy man from San Antonio – Ismael “Joe” Fernandez – and married him in 1947. Together they raised their seven children, first on J Street where they lived with Grandma Refugio “Cuca” Puente, and then in the Skyline area where they bought their home. They were married for nearly 50 years until Joe passed away in 1996.

Throughout her life, Angie was always active and supportive of her family, church and friends. She worked with children at Boone and Audubon Schools and enjoyed helping them learn. She was dedicated to St. Rita’s Parish and along with her dear friend, Pauline Puente, was a founding member of

St. Francis Sodality. Angie engaged her family to support all their activities whether it was donating items for their rummage sale, baking cookies or bread, donating donuts, arranging flowers or coming to the fish fry on a Lenten Friday. She loved her many friends in the parish.

Angie was known for her amazing cooking. When her kids were young, she made piles of flour tortillas nearly every other day – one of their many happy memories. Her menudo, posole, tamales, chile verde – and of course her famous salsa – were highly sought after and family favorites.

Most of the family was involved with sports which meant many hours at the fields and practice. She loved baseball and went to many Padres games including spring training and the World Series in 1984.

Angie enjoyed travel and went to Italy, Mexico City, Texas, Alaska, Washington, Montana, and many other states.

Left behind to honor her memory are: her children, Art Fernandez (Linda), Rita Pablos (Edward), George Fernandez (Christy), Priscilla Caswell (Don), Jesse Fernandez (Carmen), Patricia Hotchkiss (Randy+), Anna Fernandez Sandoval (Ronnie+) and niece Rebecca Solis, who was always part of the family; her grandchildren: Art Fernandez Jr., Jimmy Fernandez, Edward Pablos III, Gabriel Pablos, Angelica Pablos, Monica Flores, DJ Fernandez, Jessica Fernandez, Jeffrey Caswell, Jennifer Caswell, Jesse Fernandez Jr., Nedina Fernandez, Sammy Alvarez and Danny Alvarez; 17 great grandchildren and 3 more to be born this year. Her granddaughter Tobi Jean Avila passed away in June 2013. In addition, she leaves her much-loved extended Fernandez family in Texas and Gilroy (Ayalas), Puente family, her close friend of nearly 80 years, Angie Chacon, and many cherished friends.

We will miss her fun loving spirit, guidance and wisdom beyond words.