Colleen Margaret Fernandez

1964 - 2017

Colleen Fernandez

Colleen Margaret Marie Fernandez, nee Smith, 52, of Livermore, Calif., formerly of Maryville, Ill., born on December 7, 1964 in East St. Louis, Ill., peacefully entered into her eternal rest on May 24, 2017 at her home, after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Colleen was a graduate of Collinsville High School, and Washington University School of Medicine with a degree in Radiology. She was a Senior X-Ray Technician at Children's Hospital Oakland, a career that she loved because it allowed her to care for and help children. Colleen had a smile that would light up a room and she was quick to share it with anyone that she met. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and loved being near the ocean and mountains in California. She also enjoyed reading, and during her illness Doug built her a beautiful little house with bookshelves that went to the ceiling. This became a place of solace for her to read and pray. Colleen's faithfulness, strong will, and positive attitude have been an inspiration to all who knew her, and we were blessed to have her in our lives.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Matthew and Carole Smith, nee Reid; her son, Nathan Miller; and her godmother, Kathleen Reid.

Colleen is survived by her husband, Doug Fernandez Jr. of Livermore, Calif., whom she married on March 23, 2008; children, Meagan (Annie Towata) Miller of San Jose, Calif., Dulce Fernandez of Livermore, Calif., Zachary Miller of Carlyle, Ill., Joseph Fernandez of Livermore, Calif., and Bianca (Michael) Grygo of Livermore, Calif.; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dagoberto and Mirta Fernandez of Sunnyvale, Calif.; brothers, Doug (Cheryl) Smith of Collinsville, Ill. and Matthew (April) Smith II of Wood River, Ill.; sister-in-law, Mirtha (Edward) Bucaro of Sunnyvale, Calif.; nephews Reid Smith and Peyton Smith of Collinsville, Ill.; nieces, Erica (Kenneth) Mendes of Sunnyvale, Calif., Rebecca Bucaro of Sunnyvale, Calif., and Lauren Smith of Collinsville, Ill.; grandsons, Christian Fernandez and Anthony Fernandez of Livermore, Calif.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She will also be missed by her precious puppies, Gabbie, Sophie, Ammi, and Sammi.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Livermore, Calif. or to Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland Calif. www.makeagift.ecsf.edu. For condolences, go to www.barrywilsonfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, Ill.

Services: Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 2, 2017 at Mother of Perpetual Help, 200 N. Lange, Maryville, Ill. Burial will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Belleville, Ill.

BARRY WILSON FUNERAL HOME, Maryville, Ill.