Mary Rose (Santos) Fernandes, wife of the late Acacio "Casey" Fernandes, passed away on Saturday, December 10th after an extended illness. Born in Hyde Park, Massachusetts to Joachim and Maria Santos, Mary grew up in Framingham and was a resident of Burlington for the past 38 years. The child of Portuguese immigrants, Mary was the second of six children. After completing her education in the Framingham Public Schools, she took a position at the Dennison Corporation. She held that position until her marriage in June of 1948. Mary gave birth to her only child, Stephen, in October of 1949. She was a loving mother who encouraged her son in all of his interests: academic, athletic, and musical. She was very proud that he chose to pursue a career in teaching and coaching.
Because her husband made his career in the military, she assumed the solitary role of caregiver during her husband’s deployments overseas to Korea and Viet Nam. His domestic assignments brought the family to various military bases in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
With her husband, Mary moved to Burlington in 1973 to be close to her son and his family. She was a very active grandmother who doted on her grandchildren, attending numerous school and athletic events over the years. She was extremely proud of their accomplishments. In recent years, she celebrated her status as a great grandmother.
Widowed in 1989, she maintained her independence for many years. She sustained strong ties to her Framingham roots, frequently visiting her family and friends. She enjoyed conversation, reading, decorating for the holidays, following all Boston sports teams, and watching dancing shows on television. In recent years, Mary took up residence with her son and daughter-in-law, Pat.
Mary is survived by her son, Stephen, and daughter-in-law, Pat of Burlington; her granddaughter, Patti Heldenbergh (wife of Gary); and grandson, Stephen Jr. (husband of Wendy); and her great-grandchildren: Ryan & Tyler Heldenbergh and Alex & Avery Fernandes, all of Burlington. Mary is further survived by her brother, John Santos (husband of Lillian) of Natick and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters, Della Costa and Linda Santos, and her brothers, Seraphin "Pat" Santos and Joseph Santos, all of Framingham. Funeral from the McLaughlin-Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St. WOBURN, Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 9 AM. Followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Charles Church, 280 Main St. Woburn at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Monday 4 thru 8. Services will conclude with burial at St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Framingham.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to Dana Farber's Jimmy Fund Tribute Program, One Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02147-9795.