Nancy Coleman Fernandez's Obituary
Nancy Weston Coleman Fernandez, 81, stepped into her eternal morning, Sunday, March 2nd. She was in the capable, loving care of the staff of Silverado Memory Care, Frederick, and Frederick Health Hospice. The following words of her caring daughter, Kim Carroll, speak to the deep impactful life Nancy lived.
"My sweet mom, Nana, died the same way she had lived - with dignity, strength and grace, surrounded by those who loved her most - my father Gary (her husband of 47 years) and me. Once such a bright light, we have watched that light slowly fade over the last several years, dimmed by Alzheimer’s and other health challenges. But she never truly lost her spark. Her spunk, her sass, her quick wit and ever-present sense of humor, and most importantly her desire to connect deeply with every individual she met, endured to the end. She loved to laugh, and more than anything, she loved her family, her friends and her Lord Jesus Christ. And at the very end, all I could see was the purity of her beautiful spirit, which was her true essence.
"Mom had a way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room, her crystal clear green eyes seemingly mining the depths of your soul. She thrived on connection more than anyone I’ve ever known, and lived to lift others up. She was a timeless beauty and, while 'Fancy Nancy' took great pride in her appearance up to the very end, she always taught me never to judge a book by its cover and that ' .. the Lord sees not as man sees … the Lord looks on the heart.' She was a true nurturer who devoted her life wholeheartedly to caring for those around her; first and foremost my father and me, whom she loved fiercely. I am so grateful for her Iove, and for the picture of love and devotion she and my father modeled for me, through thick and thin.
"Yes, she loved God and she loved people, and she taught me how to love them well, too, to the best of my flawed ability. And I believe with all my heart she’s with Jesus now, held in His loving arms, reveling in the connection to end all connections … fully known, loved and accepted, never alone again, forever at peace and free from all pain.
Nancy was born in Manhattan on September 18th, 1943, the daughter of Geoffrey Weston Coleman and Dorothea Roberta (Feglay) Coleman. Raised in northern New Jersey, she graduated from Morristown High School, 1962, and attended a private business school in Summit. As a young woman she traveled to San Francisco, where she worked for the Wall Street Journal, then moved on to become the editor of a large West Coast union publication.
She and Gary married in 1977, and after the birth of their daughter, Nancy became a full-time mother. Gary's work over the years led them to move from California to Darnestown, Maryland, then Avon, Connecticut, and back to Alamo, California. They retired to Williamsburg, Virginia in 2000 and to Homewood of Frederick in 2019.
In addition to her husband and daughter, Nancy is survived by her grandchildren, Weston Clane Carroll and Elyse Ceara Carroll of New Market. Also surviving her are her sisters-in-law, DixieLee Andrews of Tracy, California; Jan Tate (Gary) of Bedford, Indiana; and Tonita Fernandez of Franklin, North Carolina
The family will receive friends on Friday March 21st at Resthaven Funeral Home, 9501 Catoctin Mountain Highway, Frederick. Gathering of friends will be from 11 AM to noon, with the memorial service at noon.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorial donations be made to the church, synagogue or charity of your choice.
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