Gertrude (“Trudy”) Fernandez
After many years of our Mom’s heroic efforts to lead a truly active life while battling significant cardiac challenges, we are sad to announce her passing, but comforted in the knowledge that she was able to seize life to the fullest up to her very last day, and she is now joyful with many of our loved ones in heaven.
Trudy was born in Manhattan in 1938, graduating from Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School & High School in Yonkers, NY. Trudy enjoyed growing up in NYC, skating in Central Park, visiting art museums, and sharing holidays and other wonderful traditions with family from Germany. Trudy’s tremendous beauty and dance skills landed her a few modeling assignments, including a famous poster featuring 18-yr-old Trudy dancing with Arthur Murray.
In 1956, Trudy ventured west to San Francisco, staying with family friends and working in a physician’s office. One evening while attending a dance at University of San Francisco, Trudy met her future husband, Michael Fernandez. The couple married in 1958, had two children in San Francisco, and two more in San Jose, California, eventually moving to Santa Barbara in 1969. While raising their family, Michael taught in the English Department at UCSB and Trudy earned her BA degree in History (UCSB) as well as her teaching credentials for elementary school instruction and later for teaching SB Adult Education classes, including English as a Second Language (ESL) and USA citizenship exam preparation.
Trudy loved teaching and often remarked how wonderful it was to teach students who were so motivated to learn. Some of Trudy’s ESL students have become lifelong dear friends of our family. Trudy treasured living in Santa Barbara, with its beautiful gardens, historic landmarks, fabulous views and shoreline walks “to fill our lungs with sea air.” She lived life to the fullest, enjoying daily walks, and exercise/dance/joy-of-living classes, as well as game nights, music, and many cultural events with family, dear friends, and neighbors. She especially treasured the friends and communities she and her family became a part of at San Roque Church, St. Barbara’s Parish, Our Lady of Sorrows Church, and many school-affiliated and community organizations throughout Santa Barbara.
Trudy was also well loved by her adoring pet cats over the years, and greatly appreciated her garden filled with butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Trudy loved traveling worldwide with family and friends, and connecting with people from all walks of life, finding the good, the humorous, the talent, and the spirit in everyone she met.
She was a true bridge-builder, always looking to connect people with each other, whether to help fulfill aspirations or facilitate simple needs requests.
Trudy is survived by her dear friend/former husband, Michael A. Fernandez, Sr., her children Michael Fernandez, Monica Fernandez, Thomas Fernandez (Gloria), Linda Fernandez, and her grandson, Thomas (“Tommy”) Fernandez.
Funeral services to honor Trudy’s life are scheduled for Tuesday, August 12 th , 11am Mass (San Roque Church, 325 Argonne Circle), followed by graveside blessings at Goleta Cemetery. There will also be a Sharing of Memories Vigil on Monday evening, Aug 11 th , 7pm (McDermott Crockett Mortuary, 2020 Chapala Street).
