Eda C. Fernandez

Eda Calicchia Fernandez, 95, of Rome, NY, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, passed away December 22, 2018 at the Westminster Point Pleasant Health Center in Bradenton, FL. She had relocated to Florida in 2012 to be near her children. Eda was the daughter of Alio and Francesca Calicchia from Italy. Known in school as Ida, she graduated from Rome Free Academy and had attended what is now SUNY Canton. During WWII, Eda was employed by the War Department in Rome, NY. On September 8, 1945, Eda was united in marriage to William “Bill” Fernandez. Eda and Bill enjoyed a loving marriage of over 67 years, until Bill’s passing on April 8, 2013. Eda was an accomplished homemaker and worked as a librarian in the Rome City School system for 18 years until her retirement in 1984. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church and later St. Paul’s Church. She was active in the Christ Child Society, Home Bureau, Ava Dorfman Senior Center, was a volunteer for Rome Hospital, and was an avid league bowler. Eda loved creating a beautiful home and her many passions included cooking, baking, tending her gardens, sewing, quilting, knitting, and crafting. She and her husband enjoyed dancing, camping, and traveling, including eight cross-country trips, Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and across Canada. Eda was dedicated to her family and will be greatly missed. Eda is survived by her five children, William (Ingrid) Fernandez II, Venice FL; Richard (Maureen) Fernandez, Lake Tahoe CA; Mark (Annette) Fernandez, Jacksonville FL; Bonnie (Armand) Castro, Bradenton FL; Robin Fernandez, Bradenton FL; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Josephine and Selma Calicchia, Rome; brother-in-law, Clayton Eldridge, Canada; and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by siblings Peter (Ruth) Calicchia, Richard Calicchia, and Mickey Eldridge. The family wishes to sincerely thank the incredible staff of the third floor Health Center at Westminster for their love, care, and compassion extended to Eda, and the support and assistance of Tidewell Hospice in Florida. Funeral services will be held on Friday January 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church for a Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Thursday January 3, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 W. Embargo St., Rome, NY 13440. In lieu of flowers contributions in Eda’s memory may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 3355 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205 or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online tributes may also be made at: www.bottinifuneralhome.com.