Otilia Y. Fernandez

1934 - 2025

Otilia Yanes Fernandez, dearly beloved wife of 65 years of the late Emilio Fernandez, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the age of 91. Loving mother of Dr. Otilia Fernandez (Dr. Thomas Perrino), Dr. Adelaida Fernandez, and Emilio Thomas Fernandez (Susan Kelley). Cherished abuela of Dr. Carmen Perrino (Dr. Albert Kim), Lourdes Perrino (Nathan Burke), and Carolina Perrino Schram (Nick Schram); Nicolas Montag (Jessica) and Dr. Elena Montag; Roberto, Isabela (fiancé Domenic Ceccoli), and Mateo Fernandez. Caring great-grandmother of Rafael and Luca Kim, Inez and Selena Burke, and Nicolo Schram. She was the devoted daughter of the late Dr. Tomas and Manuela Arguelles Yanes.

Otilia was born in Philadelphia, PA when her father, an ophthalmologist, was completing fellowships at Johns Hopkins and The Wills Eye Hospital. She was raised in Havana, Cuba, her home until she fled the country in late 1960 during the Castro regime so that her children could grow up in a free, democratic society. She arrived in Miami, FL seven months pregnant with her second child, traveling with her parents and her two-year-old daughter and eagerly awaiting the arrival of her husband. Following the reunification of the family, the three generations moved to the Cincinnati, OH area to make their new home, adding their third child shortly thereafter.

Otilia was a longtime student at The Merici Academy and The Sacred Heart Academy in Havana. She then became one of a handful of women to graduate from the rigorous six-year architecture program at the University of Havana, where she met her husband, a fellow graduate. Upon arrival in the United States, Otilia pivoted, encouraging her husband to pursue their shared profession while she became a mathematics and Spanish teacher at Woodward High School for 33 years. She earned two master's degrees while working full-time, running a business, and raising her family. Known for her strong but fair classroom management and her high expectations, she was a treasured teacher to many students and a dear friend to co-workers who remained an important part of her life well into retirement. In her forties, she was thrilled to find the white sand beaches of Boca Grande, FL, where she happily hunted for shark's teeth in a spot that reminded her of her childhood home on Varadero Beach in Cuba.

Maintaining lifelong friendships with fellow refugees, Otilia was the embodiment of faith, an epic letter writer, and a passionate and loving mother and abuela who was willing to travel the world to spend time with her grandchildren. She served as a model of strength, tenacity, and self-assurance for her children and grandchildren, inspiring them to be their very best.

The family will hold private services. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org.