Rita Fernandes

Rita Fernandes, 68 of Rockford, IL, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021.

Rita was born in Mumbai, India on August 21, 1952, daughter of Marshall and Evelyn (Almeida) Mathias. She attended college in Mumbai where she received her Bachelor’s degree. Rita worked for a PVC Manufacturing Company in India before migrating to the US in 1996. Then worked at Conseco Insurance Company and a Nursing Home in Rockford, IL before retiring in 2014. She married Aloysius “Al” Fernandes on January 21, 1979. Rita loved cooking and learning new recipes. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, shopping and traveling to Europe and India with her family. Rita was a kind, loving and generous person. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Surviving relatives include her husband, Al Fernandes; children, Ashlyn (Carrie) Fernandes and Ryan Fernandes; grandchildren, Cailyn and Brielle; siblings, Leena (Henry) Mathias, Tony Mathias, Hilda (Ramanand) Menon and Francis Mathias; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Rita is predeceased by her parents.

Cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2021 with a walk-through visitation from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103. Those unable to attend services may join via Zoom using ID number 876-1892-4048 and password 123. Final resting place will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com