Obituary of Teresita Fernandez - Vina

Teresita died at 62 in Philadelphia with her daughter, Elizabeth, by her side. She was born in Jovellanos, Cuba to Maria Luisa Mendez (Nodarse) and Julio Mendez. At a young age, Teresita moved from Jovellanos to Varadero, a wonderful beach town in Cuba. In Varadero, she rose to watch the sun rise and set everyday, "training her eyes to see beauty in all things." Her life in Vineland began in 1971 after emigrating from Cuba by way of Spain. While her entire elementary and secondary schooling was completed in Cuba, she took ESL classes and earned her GED in Vineland, NJ. After earning her GED, she graduated from Glassboro State College (Rowan University) with a degree in Spanish. She completed her graduate work and doctoral studies in World Language Education at Temple University. While at Temple, she began working as a community case worker for Catholic Social Services at Centro San Juan Bautista in Chester, PA. Her work in Chester continued as a member of the administrative team at ChesPenn, a clinic for children who did not have healthcare coverage, which eventually became a service provider for individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. While there, she worked with the local Red Cross Chapter to acquire funding for HIV/AIDS education for the Latino community. Her passion for education took Teresita to Cheyney University in 1990 where she taught Spanish Language and Culture and started a Society for Civility. She loved her students, respected them, and gave them a deeper awareness of their potential. She always stressed volunteerism, "By helping other people, you are helping yourself." She served every aspect of community life, working with social service organizations, hospitals, and political groups. She wrote articles for Nuestra Comunidad and The Daily Journal, in both Spanish and English, about human relations, politics, and philosophy. In 2012 she retired from Cheyney and moved from Vineland, NJ to Philadelphia to be closer to her daughter. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Elizabeth, her brother, Julio, many close family members, and friends. Friends and family will be received at the DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home, 2755 South Lincoln Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08361 on Wednesday evening from 6pm to 9pm. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Mendez Family Scholarship Fund (www.mendezfamilyscholarship.org)