Fern Feyling

1917 - 2017

Fern Theresa Feyling

100 year old San Francisco native daughter Fern Theresa Feyling fell asleep with the Lord on Friday, December 29th.

Fern was born on Peralta Avenue in San Francisco on April 8, 1917, to the late George and Theresa Cassidy McGrath. She and her siblings were all born, raised, and lived all their lives in their beloved City. Fern was the last member of the family, being preceded in death by sister Myrtle Casey, brothers Bill and George McGrath, sister Loma Follett, and brother Robert McGrath.

In 1939, Fern met Walter Feyling, and they were married at St. Peter's Church in 1940. Walt & Fern moved to the family home in Bernal Heights, and Fern became active in St. Kevin's Church parish. They raised their four children in the house on Cortland & Andover, before moving to St. Mary's Park in 1970. Theirs was a happy & enviable 68 year marriage, until Walt's passing in 2009. Fern was strong in her Catholic faith and remained active at both St. Kevin's and St. John's parishes. She was a lifelong member of the St. Kevin's Women's Guild, and rarely missed Wednesday night bingo nights.

Being a proud second generation San Franciscan and a lifelong baseball fan, Fern rooted for the SF Seals, listening on the radio, and became a diehard SF Giants fan when they came to the City in 1958. She never missed a game on TV, voiced her disapproval when they lost, and even spent her 100th birthday at the ballpark.

Fern is survived and will be dearly missed by her children, daughter Susan (Ed) Goodwin, and sons Walter (Coralyn), Norbert (Lisa), and William (Jayn) Feyling. So blessed to have her as their beloved Nana are her grandchildren Chuck (Tracey) and Michael Goodwin, Victor, Tess, and Veronica Feyling. Feeling the void of her loss is her dear friend and caregiver Siale Paongo, who brightened her life with the joy of her care & friendship. Fern is also survived by several nieces & nephews, and countless friends.

Fern was the heart of the family, and hers was a heart that always beat strong and proud. She was soft, gentle, and hard as nails. She was sensible, funny, sassy, and never left you with a doubt of how she felt. She beamed with pride & love for her children, grandchildren, & family, and she left a positive impression on everyone she met. Although now out of sight, the essence of her beautiful soul is the treasure that lives on forever in the hearts of those that loved her. Goodbye Mom, love you Nana, see you again Ferny.


Friends may visit Tuesday, January 2nd after 4 P.M. at Duggan's Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City; where a vigil service will be held at 7 P.M. A funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. at St. Kevin's Church, 704 Cortland Avenue, San Francisco.

Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. A reception will follow. Donations to St. Kevin's Church preferred.