Mary Constance Fernando

Mary Constance Fernando, 86, of Jefferson left us to the loving arms of the Lord on Friday, March 27, 2015.
Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Jefferson. Cremation will follow the service, and a private inurnment will be held at a later date. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Mary Constance was born on Jan. 16, 1929, in Negombo, Sri Lanka, the fourth child of Leo and Grace Fernando. She had six brothers and four sisters. Growing up as a young teenager, she helped her father keep the accounting books for his timber business.
She married Joseph "Robert" Fernando at the age of 17. Constance and Robert had eight children. One son, Rimley, died at the age of 2.
In 1963, with five children in tow, the family moved to Jesselton (now known as Kota Kinabalu), Sabah, Malaysia, where Robert worked as the personal assistant to the chief minister of the state. Their two youngest children, twin boys, were born in Sabah, Malaysia, formerly British North Borneo. Constance was involved in social work, the main organization being SABATA, Sabah Anti Tuberculosis Association. She traveled with doctors and nurses to remote villages via four-wheel-drive vehicles and helicopters to help with community hygiene. She was recognized for her work by the state governor with the awarding of the "Bintang Kinabalu" (Star of Kinabalu) medal. She also served as the president of the Catholic Women’s League in the Kota Kinabalu Catholic Diocese. Constance spoke four languages.
Robert and Constance migrated to the United States in 1994, to be nearer to many of their children. Constance lived in Nebraska, California, Oregon and South Dakota, enjoying the company of her children and grandchildren. Constance was skilled at many handicrafts, being gifted in sewing, lacemaking, printing, weaving and making works of art with copper. In the U.S., she became better known as an avid crocheter and was adept at inventing her own patterns. Few of her children's homes are without her adaptation of the great American quilt, a hand-crocheted blanket. She also enjoyed cooking and teaching her children and grandchildren how to make native curry dishes. She spent her last years at Prairie Estates Care Center in Elk Point, S.D., where she enjoyed participating in the various activities at the center. She treasured visits from her children and friends, but was especially fond of visits from her 17 grandchildren.
Constance is survived by seven children and their families, son Rodney and Margie Fernando, Priyanka and Zeta; son Delaney and Damayanthi Fernando, Dishan (Chayanika) and Dinisha; daughter Renilda and Peter Mishek, Chrysanthi (Shawn) Stockwell, Charles, Nicholas and Henry; son Rohan and Ramona Fernando, Nihal and Michelle; daughter Lalini and Steve Cook, Ruth and Jonathan; son Desmond and Joyce Fernando, Joshua, Shihara, and Elina; and son Emile and Kelli Fernando, Alex and Brian. She is also survived by three brothers, Lawrence, Vincent and Richard; and two sisters, Sr. Christophora and Eusabia.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, J. Robert; son, Rimley; brothers, Tibert, Cyril, and Rev. Fr. Christopher; and sisters, Bridget and Agnes.