Carmen Ana Fernandez, 87, was a woman of faith and family. She was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico— the youngest of six siblings. For her high school graduation, her Tia gave her what would become the most transformative gift of her life: a trip to New York City. Her older brothers forbade it… but after years of begging, she made it happen. In 1960, Carmen Ana Fernandez landed in the Big Apple and made it her new home. It was there she met the love of her life, Felix Fernandez. They tied the knot in 1963 and not long after, were blessed with two daughters, Maria and Carmen. Originally, she told her husband she wanted twelve children but instead settled on being a foster mother to many, many more. Between them and babysitting the children of friends, she quickly earned the title “Mommy Carmen.”

Mommy Carmen was an amazing cook! Her signature was arroz con gandules, pernil and pasteles. Like a native New Yorker, she loved baseball. She enjoyed going to the Yankees with her BFFs, but nothing could ever beat the games of her grandson Emanuel. She loved music, going to concerts at Madison Square Garden, and humming Marc Anthony under her breath. Carmen was predeceased by her husband in 2007, who can finally breathe after waiting so long. She will be dearly missed by her daughters, Maria (her son-in-law, Louis) and Carmen, her grandchildren, Jaylen and Emanuel, nieces, nephews, the Giumarra's, her many friends, and all the lives she has touched with her compassion and love.

The family of Carmen Fernandez would like too take this time to express gratitude for all of the prayers, kindness, love, and sympathy shown during this time of loss.