Eugenia E. “Jeanne” (Fontes) Fernandes, 90, passed away on October 19, 2022, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham, after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Nicholas E. Fernandes Sr.

She was born January 25, 1932, on the island of Fogo in the Cape Verde Islands to Maria Dos Reis Fontes Goncalves and Eugenio E. Fontes. She immigrated to the United States in 1948 at the age of sixteen, where she lived in Onset with her maternal uncle Caetano “Branquinho” Fontes, his wife Matilda and their sons Melvin, Wayne, Lenny, Arnie and Johnny, all who she loved like brothers. It’s where she met the love of her life Nicky, whose backyard just happened to be connected to her backyard. They married in 1952 and enjoyed sixty-three years of marriage until his death in 2015. She lived most of her life in the house her husband built for her, and she turned it into a warm, nurturing and loving home for her family. The family grew up with an example of what love is: how to be a true couple, exceptional parents, and the best grandparents. Their commitment to each other was aspirational and they, the family, takes solace in the fact they are reunited.

Despite being a busy wife and mother of six, she managed to work at Aerovox Company, Ocean Spray Cranberry Corp, Wareham High School, and Green Harbor Resort.

She loved to travel, especially going on cruises with Nicky and their friends. She made many trips to the Cape Verde Islands and loved sharing her birthplace with her family by her side. She was also a lifelong member of the Dudley L. Brown VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

She is survived by her children Cheryl (and Donald) Gomes of Onset, Denise Fernandes of Onset, Robin Andrews of Wareham, Bonnie Filkins of Onset and her fiancé Gerald Daigle, Joy (and Henrique) Goncalves of Onset, Nicholas (and Jacqueline) Fernandes, Jr. of Sandwich, and LynnRoderick of Onset. Her grandchildren Keri, Shannen, Hector, Gena, Mitchell, Mercedes, Derek, Jillian, Rachel, Hilary, Vernon, Lauren, Henrique, Nicholas, Gabrielle, Elijah, as well as her 22 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Maria Antoniete (and Domingos) Andrade and Maria Eduarda (and Euricles) Veiga of Randolph, her sisters-in-law Minniet (and Hugh) Pilgrim of Wareham, Sheila Gordon of Randolph, Rose Fernandes of New Bedford, Janet Filkins of W. Wareham and Mary Fontes of Onset. Her godchildren Nancy Steen of W. Bridgewater and Eurica Foley of Randolph, as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was predeceased by her grandson Frank III, great-granddaughter Gabriella, her sons-in-law Vernon Filkins and Frank Andrews Jr.

Visiting hours are from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – WAREHAM, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham.

Her funeral will held on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church in Onset. 

Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wareham.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Dudley L. Brown VFW Ladies Auxiliary Onset, MA. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com.