Thelma Fernandes, 84, mother of Bishop Earl Fernandes, died Oct. 5 in the Toledo area. The following is her obituary:
Thelma Regina AnaMaria (Noronha) Fernandes, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on October 5, 2022 after a long illness. She was born August 19, 1938 in Mumbai, India to Albino and Maria Stella Noronha. She attended St. Anne’s Daboul school and then attended St. Xavier’s College where she earned her degrees in political science and sociology. She went on to receive her Master of Fine Arts degree in sociology and teaching certificate at St. Xavier’s. She taught at various schools in Mumbai, including the prestigious Scholars School. She married Dr. Sydney Fernandes in 1963, and they emigrated to Toledo, Ohio in 1970 with two young sons. They settled permanently in northwest Ohio as their family grew, enjoying 56 years of marriage.
She raised five boys with love, giving them the tools they would need to be successful in life. Education was a top priority when she was raising her boys. They spent their summer vacations reading and writing before going out to play with their friends. Even vacations (including simple trips to Cedar Point) were opportunities for learning and writing the “compositions” (as she called them) that followed these trips. As an immigrant to the US, she made her voice heard so that her children were able to fully embrace and be recognized in American society. Though far from home, she stayed close to her Goan Indian heritage and integrated it into life in America. She chose to wear traditional Indian sarees to formal events throughout the city. She created many recipes that united American and Indian flavors such as meatball curry, masala Thanksgiving turkey, Indian baked beans, and her original spicy chicken curry.
While her children attended St. Thomas Aquinas Grade School in Toledo’s East Side, Thelma volunteered tirelessly as a behavioral health counselor and a substitute teacher, and became a beloved figure within the parish and school community. After her boys grew older, she went back to college and earned a Masters degree in Education from the University of Toledo in Guidance and Counseling. She also received her Education Specialist certificate at UT. She was inducted into the National Honor and Professional Association in Education, Pi Lambda Theta. She worked for two decades at UT as an academic advisor, and won the “Outstanding Adviser Award'' for the 1989-1990 academic year. Her generosity to her international students allowed them to achieve success in America and created a home for them at the University. During her years working at the University, she would unfailingly come home and cook dinner almost every day for her family. She was a part-time counselor for the Rescue Crisis and also was president of the International Women's Auxiliary of Toledo. After retiring from the University of Toledo, she became the office manager of her husband’s internal medicine practice located near Mercy St. Charles in Oregon, Ohio. Many of his patients became her friends, and she would go out of her way to make sure that they had the correct medications and services they needed.
As much as she loved and doted on her sons, her grandchildren gave her the greatest joy in her later life. She would take them on walks around their neighborhood in Perrysburg, to church with her, or watch educational shows on TV. Much like with her own sons, she encouraged them to read and write as much as possible. Afternoons at their Nana's house often included reading books and nursery rhymes, drawing activities, and songs (followed by enormous portions of homemade Indian food). She was mischievous around them, often sneaking extra candies or a box of Lucky Charms into their backpacks, much to the consternation of their parents. While strengthening their minds with her own wisdom and their bodies with her delicious meals, she instilled in them a great love of their fellow man and a deep understanding of the importance of serving others.
She was a devout and pious Roman Catholic throughout her life. Praying the Rosary daily and various litanies were part of her routine. Her prayer books were full of lists of intentions and worn through by her constant devotion. She would make yearly pilgrimages to Carey, Ohio to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation. She would give her boys money to light the devotional candles, as she wrote down her petitions. Attending Mass at All Saints Parish or St. Rose Parish was the highlight of her week. She passed her devotion to her children and grandchildren, keeping their small lists of prayers alongside her own and teaching them to honor Jesus and Mother Mary by touching the feet of their statues. In the final days of her life, she continued to lift her eyes to heaven at the sound of prayer and clutch the Holy Rosary close to her heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings (Hillary, Joe, Lucy and Louisa), husband Sydney, and granddaughter Shannon. She is survived by her sons: Karl (Shaila), Trevor (Tamara), Ashley (Shruti), Most Reverend Earl (Bishop of Columbus), and Eustace (Anne). Her grandchildren Sydney, Ketan, Elijah, Anjali, Jude, Philomena, Sid, Lucy, Ignace, Victor, Jayan, Arav, Felicity, Mithran, and Leo will deeply miss her smile, hugs, kisses, and tasty Goan cooking. Also surviving are her many nieces and nephews around the world.
Friends and family will be received Friday, October 14 from 2-8 p.m. at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary, Perrysburg (419-874-3133). The funeral Mass will be Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 E. Front Street, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 in Perrysburg, followed by a private burial.
Donations can be made in her name to: The Thelma R. and Sydney O. Fernandes, Bishop’s Ecclesiastical Attire, Adornment, and Devotional Fund (Columbus Catholic Foundation); St. Francis DeSales School (Toledo, OH); the Cocoon; and the Mercy Foundation.
Special thanks to the aides and nurses at Waterford Commons, Friends of the Family (Mary, Paula, Betty, and Kim), and Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.
