Rose S. Fernandes, 104
Dateline: Norton, MA
Rose S. Fernandes, 104, of Norton, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2023. She was the lovingly devoted wife of Egidio Fernandes who predeceased her in 1972.
Rose was born on January 5, 1919 in Arco da Calhleta on the island of Madeira, Portugal to Antonio and Maria (Luiz) Silva. She was the sister of the late Julia (Silva) Recharte.
After marrying Egidio on July 29, 1947, Rose emigrated to the United States to join her husband who had already settled in Norton. Determined to establish a new life for both themselves and for a future family in the land of opportunity, Rose entered the United States through Ellis Island on Christmas Eve later that same year. Although bedazzled by the holiday lights of New York, the streets of gold she had anticipated were instead covered by something she had never seen – snow! It would soon be apparent that those golden streets were only visible through the eyes of those with an unending work ethic, and thus she joined many of her fellow Portuguese immigrant friends in applying that work ethic in the jewelry shops of Attleboro, in her case, Swank’s.
Working until the birth of her three children, Joseph, Anthony, and Rosemary, Rose together with Egidio fashioned a family life founded on love and self-sacrifice where none of life’s necessities were ever lacking. In later years, as her children matured, Rose would reenter the work force, first as a machine operator at Defiance Bleachery and then as an employee of Texas Instruments, working as an electronics assembler. As in the past, the wages of those labors were now dedicated to the fulfilment of the needs and whims of three teenagers and culminated in years of college tuition payments. On the topic of college tuition, payment was rarely made without her proclaiming “If I had your education, I’d be President of the United States!”. We took that to mean that she had better get her money’s worth!
In typical fashion, Rose’s hobbies and pleasures were pragmatic in nature. She enjoyed preparing authentic Portuguese cuisine and desserts for generations of family. Keeping those same family members warm by crocheting countless blankets, and adorning many a table with exquisite embroidery was also a source of pleasure. She was an avid gardener well into her late eighties, and any visit to her during the summer had to be planned so as to allow sufficient time for the requisite tour of her efforts.
Undoubtedly Rose’s greatest heartbreak came with loss of her beloved husband Egidio now more than fifty years ago as well as the passing of her cherished son Anthony in 2003. Nevertheless, her life remained fulfilled through her surviving son Joseph Fernandes and his wife Susan as well as by her surviving daughter Rosemary Kline and her husband Paul all of Norton. In addition, her grandchildren Melissa, Lynsey, Erin, Marc, Matthew, Sarah, and Caitlin and their respective spouses gifted Rose with 12 great grandchildren. Together the family of Rose Fernandes welcomes you to join in celebrating her long and forceful life.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, February 2nd from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp Street (Off Route 140, Taunton Avenue) Norton.
Her funeral will begin on Friday, February 3rd at 10:00 A.M. from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 1 Power Street, Norton. Burial will follow at the Norton Center Cemetery in Norton.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may remember Rose with a donation in her memory made to Saint Mary’s Church, 1 Power Street, Norton, MA 02766.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com