After a period of declining health, Ermina Rodrigues Fernandes, 97, of Framingham passed away peacefully on Monday, January 22, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Ermina was born in Bustelo-Chaves, Portugal, the daughter of Jose Joaquim and Cristina Rodrigues.
She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Jaime Calvao Fernandes, in June of 2022. She also lost a sister, Elisa, early in life and another, Celeste, several decades later.
Ermina is survived by her three children and their families: Eliseu Calvao, his wife Edith Boucher Calvao, and their daughter Victoria Calvao, of Brossard, Quebec; Dinis Calvao of Hopedale, his longtime life partner Mary McGonagle, and children Toni and Nick Trask; Duarte Calvao of Framingham and his children Christopher D. Calvao and McKenzie E. Calvao of Dennis.
Along with her husband and three children, Ermina arrived in Framingham in May of 1974 where she began using her sewing skills at the Bancroft Hat company. Besides being an accomplished sewer, she was also adept at tailoring and needlework.
Endowed with boundless energy and generosity, Ermina poured her heart into caring for her family and home. She loved to garden and cook, sharing the bounty with family, friends, and neighbors. She was also a devout Catholic of great faith who never missed a Sunday mass. Being involved in the church, participating in and helping with various religious events and Portuguese feasts showed off her generous and sociable side. At these gatherings and others, she loved to recount stories from long ago in her long life.
Family and friends will honor and remember Ermina’s life by gathering for a time of visitation in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home on Saturday morning February 3rd from 9-10:30AM. Her Funeral Mass will follow in St. Tarcisius Church, 562 Waverly St., Framingham at 11 o’clock. Interment in St. Tarcisius Cemetery.
To Share a memory with the Fernades/Calvao families, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com
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