Olga Fernandez

Olga Fernandez (nee Rodriguez) (90) of Passaic, passed away on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024. Olga was born in Guanabacoa, Havana, Cuba on February 23rd, 1934. She was the 2nd child of the late Manuel Rodriguez (Pipa) and Isabel Rodriguez (nee Benitez); her beloved mother that she lost at only 3 years old. After her father remarried, she was lovingly raised by her father and late step mother, Herminia Gonzalez (Mimi),

alongside her elder brother and 3 younger brothers.

Olga married Gerardo Fernandez Sr. on February 12th in 1955 in Havana, Cuba. In 1969, Olga immigrated to the United States along with her husband and 2 children. Together they established roots in Passaic NJ. Soon after they opened a laundromat they lovingly named RickOdette after their 2 oldest grandchildren, and later went on to manage various other laundromats.

In 1970, alongside her husband, she founded the first Cuban Social Club at 108 Main Ave in Passaic which years later became the model for what became the Liceo Cubano of Passaic. Olga Fernandez and her family played a prominent role in all aspects of the Liceo, including Cuban Heritage presentations. She was also a prominent member in the Passaic community as a whole and was known and loved by many. She worked at Gramercy Mills for many years, soon after arriving from Cuba up until they closed.

Olga loved life, her family, and friends. She was always ready to lend a helping hand or impart words of wisdom. Her arms and doors were always open to offer comfort, love, and a hot mug of her special café con leche. She was also an amazing cook and even her great grandchildren still rave about her delicious black beans and rice. As the matriarch of the close-knit Fernandez family, she held a very special place in its members hearts and created an everlasting bond with each of them.

Of all of her accomplishments, the one she held most dear was the legacy she had created in her family. Her warm welcoming nature, calming energy and gentle peaceful aura drew everyone in and the draw of that captivating essence trickled down from her children, to her grandchildren, and even to her great grandchildren who loved her dearly and enjoyed spending time with her. She had a great love for singing and the Cuban nursery rhymes that she sang to and taught her loved ones are still being passed on to the next generations.

Olga is preceded in death by her husband, Gerardo Fernandez Sr.; her older brother, Manuel Rodriguez; as well as her younger brothers, Roberto Rodriguez, Mario Rodriguez, and Jorge “Chalino” Rodriguez. Olga is survived by her son, Gerardo Fernandez Jr and his wife Irma, her daughter, Ana Fuentes and her husband Manuel, her grandchildren, Odette Coronel and her husband Noel, Ricardo Fernandez and his wife Vedanira, Giselle Buttler and her husband Christian, Yameil Nunez and her husband Gilberto and Jaclyn Fernandez Hrinko and her husband Alexander. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, David Michael Fernandez, Jacqueline Victoria Fernandez, Noelani Coronel, Michael Manuel Santos, Isabelle Fernandez, Dominique Jordan Fernandez, Olivia Coronel, Anabeth Fernandez, Noel Oliver Coronel, Mia Buttler, Nicholas Jordan Santos, Lia Buttler and Genevieve Gwendolyn Hrinko. She is lovingly remembered by her sisters-in-law and many, many nieces, nephews and extended family in the US, Cuba, and Spain. She will also be greatly missed by the huge network of friends in the community and friends that became family.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 22nd, 2024 from 5:00pm-9:00pm in Funeraria Alvarez, 66 Passaic Avenue, Passaic NJ. Cremation is private.