Fenny Tristano

Fenny Tristano was a wife, mother, dog lover, and adventurous soul who always looked to improve herself, constantly seeking opportunities to grow. She received her bachelor’s degree during COVID, with little fanfare, but I was extremely proud of her because I vividly remember her studying while on vacations, and all-the-while maintaining her full-time job and honoring her responsibilities as a mother and wife. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, she still had the goal of wanting to complete her master’s degree.

Fenny was born in Indonesia and lived there until immigrating with her family to San Francisco around the age of 20. In an effort to show our children how good they have it, she stressed that when she first came to the U.S., she worked two jobs, both at McDonalds, while attending night classes at City College of San Francisco.

Her Bay Area roots were incredibly evident, as seen in her love of diverse foods, always rooting for the Giants, the Warriors, the Niners, the Raiders and, even more obvious, when it came time to vote during elections.

But ultimately, to my surprise, I convinced her to move to Texas in 2005. Through the years Texas seemed to grow on her. She even bought some cowboy boots and was quick to recommend Cracker Barrel as a place to eat.

Our humble home in McKinney is where we started our family. Our weekends were spent on different soccer fields, oftentimes splitting up and flipping a coin to decide who got to watch which kid. But we loved it. She loved it. There was no other place she’d rather be than watching our children play soccer.

Fenny was as tough as they come. She was tough physically, mentally, even tough in her tone when speaking. But she was also sweet and thoughtful. She kept, collected cute figurines, stuffed animals, and saved fortune cookie fortunes that resonated with her.

It was difficult seeing her last few days spent in a hospital. But I know that was no longer really her, but her spirit lives in our children.

When we were dating, she really liked the lyrics to a Jimmy Eat World song:

Hey, don't write yourself off yet

It's only in your head, you feel left out

Or looked down on

Just do your best

Do everything you can

And don't you worry what their bitter hearts

Are gonna say

It just takes some time

Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride

Everything, everything'll be just fine

Everything, everything'll be alright, alright

Fenny is survived by her husband Nico Placino; children Dylan Placino, Dahlia Placino and Cristiano Placino; mother Rosaly Halatoe; brother Harris Tristano and his wife Stanny Soesanto; nephew James Tristano; and Orio her beloved Border Collie/ Mix.

There will be a funeral mass at 1:30 p.m., Monday, August 18, 2025, at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends from 12:30-1:30 p.m., prior to the mass for viewing and visitation in the Narthex.