Maui-born teacher and nurse served in Hawaii, New York, California, Rome
Sister M. Laurenza Fernandez’ 67 years as a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities took her from the small Maui plantation town of Puukolii, near Lahaina, to assignments across Hawaii and to New York, California and Rome. She died April 28 at St. Francis Convent, Honolulu. She was 90.
Her wake service is 3:30-4:45 p.m., May 12, at St. Pius X Church, 2821 Lowrey Avenue in Manoa. The eulogy is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. and the funeral Mass at 5 p.m. Dinner will follow in the parish hall. Viewing will continue until 7 p.m.
The next day, Liturgy of the Hours will be celebrated at 8 a.m. at St. Francis Convent, 2715 Pamoa Road, Manoa, followed by burial at 9 a.m. at Diamond Head Memorial Park.
Sister Laurenza was born Nancy Thomasa in Puukolii, one of nine children of Philippine immigrants Pio Fernandez and Laurenza Angot. After graduating from St. Francis Convent School in Honolulu, she entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse, N.Y., on Jan. 14, 1947.
She received the name of Sister M. Laurenza when she was invested in the Franciscan habit on Aug. 16, 1947. She made her final vows on Aug. 18, 1952.
Sister Laurenza received her diploma as a registered nurse from St. Francis School of Nursing in Honolulu, a bachelor of science degree in education from Chaminade College of Honolulu, and a master’s of science in reading from the University of Scranton, Pa.
Her ministries were primarily education and nursing.
In New York state, she taught at Our Lady Help of Christians School in Albany, Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Endicott and St. Peter School in Utica. In Hawaii she taught at St. Joseph School in Hilo; Sacred Heart School in Lahaina; and St. Francis School in Honolulu.
She also taught at St. Anthony School in Lorain, Ohio, and St. Anthony School in Long Beach, Calif.
Sister Laurenza served as a nurse on Oahu at St. Francis Hospital, the Special Education Center and St. Francis Convent; at Immaculate Conception Parish in Lihue, Kauai; and at St. Anthony Convent, Syracuse.
She was also missioned at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles, N.Y., and the Sisters’ Pensione in Rome, Italy.
Sister Laurenza was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Edward and Benedicto Fernandez, and her sister Sophia Childs. She is survived by her sisters Rosaline (Edward) Deponte, Pacita (Jake) Manegdeg, Leonora Lizama, Betty (William) Blidy and Cresencia (Paul) Poepoe; by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Retirement Fund of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, St. Francis Convent, 2715 Pamoa Road, Honolulu HI 96822-1885.
