With profound sadness we announce the passing of Joanna Fernandez (nee Zieba), our loving and devoted mother and friend to all whose lives she touched, on July 29, 2021.
She left us after fighting a 10-month battle with a returning nefarious criminal named Cancer, who has plagued our society and our family personally, for far too long. She was 75 years young.
Born in Diecholsen, Germany and later moved to Belgium, Joanna came across the ocean with her Polish parents, Franciszek (Frank) and Kazimiera (Kay) Zieba, and younger brother George, all pre-deceased. The Zieba family settled in Sudbury, Ontario in the Donovan region and experienced incredible changes to their lives, following the death of Frank in a mining accident, January 18, 1963. Joanna, along with Kay and George began a hardworking journey to support themselves and drew comfort from their many friends in the Polish community of Sudbury. Joanna became an X-Ray technician working from the Sudbury General Hospital where she met her loving husband, Dr. Gabriel Fernandez (pre-deceased January 9, 2019).
A devoted wife and partner, Joanna cared for her beloved Gabriel for the last 10 years of his life as he suffered from dementia. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Lisa (Dave), Sonia (Rhonda), Eliana (Larry), and proud grandmother of Sierra (Kyle) and Marina (David).
Joanna enjoyed life and divided her time between Manitoulin Island and visiting many family and friends in Spain. She loved to travel and was an avid reader including discovering and experimenting with the next healthy and delicious recipes. Joanna was Gabriel’s right hand in the family medical practice on Larch Street, Sudbury. Shortly after retiring, Joanna and Gabriel moved to Toronto In 1998, and thereafter to Vancouver in 2002, spending time in Pemberton, Whistler and Gun Lake.
Joanna lived a full life as a wonderful mother, excellent "culinarian" and devout Catholic. Most of all she loved her family and friends and will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
A private family celebration with Catholic funeral rites for Joanna’s life will be held at Kearney Funeral Services on August 14, 2021 at 11 am.
Donations to the Cancer Society are welcome at this link:
Photos:
1) Ma 2) Ma with Frank, Kay , George 3) Ma, Beauty 1970 4) Ma and Pa in Madrid 5) Ma with girls in Ottawa 6) Ma with Lisa & Sonia in PV &) Ma with Sierra & Eli 8) Ma with Marina, Sierra 9) Ma, Lisa, Marina, Slerra Bear 10) Ma, Lisa, Dave, Lolo 11) Ma, Flowers