Graciela Gallardo Fernandez

Graciela Gallardo Fernandez, at age 90, of Erie, passed away this Sunday, September 15, 2013, at UPMC Hamot. She was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico, June 19 1923, a daughter of the late Jose Gallardo and Virginia Fernandez.

At the age of 60 Graciela earned a Master's Degree in Biochemistry. She had been employed at ABC Hospital and the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social of Mexico for over 30 years. She worked as director of laboratory in the Metropolitan Hospital in Mexico City. She was particularly intent on trying to find a cause to cure breast cancer. During her career she worked on DNA Mapping and also how alcohol attacks the mitochondria and how to kill cancer. By doing this, she found an understanding between the differences between the RNA and DNA of the cells.

She enjoyed knitting, reading, travelling, painting, gardening, and flowers. Graciela made her own jewelry. She loved Erie's sunsets, Fall and fishing. Lastly, she enjoyed playing many games on her iPad.

She was preceded in death by her late husband, Luis Carlos Trillanes Martinez, in 1982 after 30 years of marriage as well as her brother, Hector. Her survivors include her five children, Luis Carlos, Maria Graciela, Jorge Arturo, Alfonso, and Lilia Elvia and four siblings, Gloria, Javier, Arturo, and Raul.

Friends may call on Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, Pine Avenue Branch, 845 East 38th Street. Services will be held there on Friday at 12:15 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. at St. James Church, 2635 Buffalo Road with Rev. James McCormick officiating. Condolences and photos may be sent at www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com

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