Josephine Fernando, MD

Josephine Hope (“Ranji”) Fernando, age 83, entered eternal rest on August 18, 2025. Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka to Daisy Corera and Gabriel Xavier Gomez, and raised in Tuticorin, India.

A devout Catholic, Josephine's unwavering faith guided her service to God and humanity. She dedicated over 40 years to practicing medicine, starting in general surgery and obstetrics-gynecology during her residency in India and as a missionary in Ghana, and then internal medicine in England. Ultimately, she found her true calling in emergency medicine, while working for over 20 years at Lutheran General Hospital in Cleveland. Her patients and colleagues, particularly the nurses who became her dear lifelong friends, admired her dedication, calm demeanor under pressure, and tireless efforts to provide exceptional care, even if it was just a prayer. Her life exemplified cheerful generosity, caring sacrifice, and a keen sense of humor.

She was the beloved mother of and survived by Melvyn Anthony and Raymond Martin (Imelda), and is also survived by her two granddaughters, Alexis Marie and Elyse Christina, who were her pride and joy. Loving sister to Sylvia, Rex, Indrani (“Josephine”), Joe, Quinta, and Jeya (“Michael”), and dear cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Private Entombment Holy Cross Cemetery. Mass of Christian Burial 10 am Saturday, August 23 at Our Lady Chapel at Gilmour Academy, 2045 SOM Center Road, Gates Mills 44040 (use SOM entrance). Friends may call at THE FIORITTO FUNERAL HOME, 5236 MAYFIELD ROAD, LYNDHURST (EAST OF RICHMOND ROAD) 5-7 PM FRIDAY.

Special thanks to the Holy Family Hospice staff for their incredibly loving care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Josephine’s memory to Holy Family Hospice, by mail to 6707 State Road, Parma, Ohio 44134 or online at https://staugministries.org/ways-to-give/ (select Holy Family Home Health Care & Hospice as the Designated Location).