Hedy Apostol Gonzalez

Hedy Apostol Gonzalez, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family, on February 19, 2025, at the age of 84. She was a devout Catholic known for her kindness, generosity, grace and engaging smile. Mama/Manang Hedy leaves behind a legacy rich with a strong belief in God, love, family, and friends.

Hedy was born in the Philippines and was the eldest daughter of the late Teodoro and Asuncion (Lauyan) Apostol. She studied at Immaculate Conception Academy and Philippine College of Commerce, worked for Wyeth-Suaco and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). She strived for a new job opportunity with the United Nations Secretariat and traveled ahead to the United States to prepare for her family to join her. In 1980 she became a single mom who relocated her 4 children to Queens, NY, and shortly after to Woodbridge Township, NJ. She transferred to the Asia Bureau of the UN Development Programme, and then to the UN Conference Services Department for the night shift allowances to help with her children’s expenses. She ventured further to a 4-year assignment in Beijing, China. She developed many friendships with the expatriates there. She returned to live in NJ with her children and steadfastly resumed her NJ transit bus commute to the Manhattan UN offices until she retired.

In 1998, Hedy remarried and moved to Henderson, NV a year later. She became a parish member of St. Peter the Apostle Church, joining several prayer groups and ministries: Former Legion of Mary with St. Peter the Apostle Church, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Prayer Group, Handmaids of the Lord, Martha Mary, Homebound Ministry, Eucharistic Ministry, Lector Ministry, Choir Ministry, and Our Lady of Schoenstatt with St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. In addition, she was part of the Sto. Nino Prayer Group in Los Angeles, CA. She loved singing and was delighted to be an honorary MAPUA NJ choir member, caroling during Christmas and other special occasions. She had a green thumb and always had thriving house plants wherever she moved to. It pleased her when others savored her cooking and baking. She enjoyed dancing and was well-known for teaching others the Filipino Tango. She was also very thankful she was able to travel to different pilgrimages.

Hedy was predeceased by her first husband (Reynaldo S. Fernandez), younger sister (Terella Gonzales), son (Roel A. Fernandez), and second husband (Felix Gonzalez). She is survived by her 3 daughters and their spouses (Robert and Rowena Frankenbush, George and Roscel Garcia, Neil and Rhiza Ferrer), brother-in-law and sister (Carlos and Enya Lazaro), and brother and sister-in-law (Teodoro Apostol, Jr. and Loida (Villanueva)). Her legacy lives on through her blessed grandchildren (Kyle, Julia, Reya, and Nathan), several nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.

Mama/Manang Hedy’s remains will be interred at the Clover Leaf Memorial Park in Woodbridge, New Jersey with her late son Roel A. Fernandez.