Barbara Grace Fernandez

Barbara Grace (Williquette) Fernandez, 87, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving husband and family, on August 27, 2024, at Hospice House in Longview, WA. Barbara was bornJune 29, 1937 in Longview, WA to Carlton Peter Williquette and June Grace (Spackman)Williquette. She was raised in Kelso, WA along with her younger brother Carl (Butch) in a home filled with music. 

She graduated from Kelso High School in 1955. Barbara met her future husband, James (Jim) Fernandez at the Columbia Theatre where they both worked. They married on March 9, 1956. Together they raised 9 children in their loving, fun filled, family-oriented home in Kelso, WA. 

Barbara loved family adventures including sledding on Mt. St. Helens, annual camping trips to Fort Stevens, multiple trips to Disneyland and a trip to Hawaii over Christmas in 1976 with the Kelso High School basketball team to name a few. Barbara hosted the most wonderful holiday dinners for extended family often exceeding 50 family members. 

Barbara did so many things that made traditions special. An example, that all family members fondly recall, is her delighting the family with her delicious peanut butter fudge for the annual television showing of the “Wizard of Oz”. 

She was a life-long member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kelso. Her Catholic faith and her love of Jesus were the cornerstones of her life and were evident in everything she did. Raising her children to know and love God were paramount to her. 

Music was always an important part of Barbara’s life. She was an accomplished pianist and was gifted with a beautiful singing voice. She sang in Columbia Chorale in the mid to late 1970s and was in the choir at St. Mary’s all her adult life. She passed her love of music on by encouraging all her children to play an instrument, take dance classes and/or sing in the school choir. She attended all her children’s recitals, concerts, plays and musical programs. 

Barbara was a life-long Kelso/Longview resident, she worked as a secretary for Reynolds, Longview Fibre and Weyerhaeuser in her early career. She worked from 1972 to 1989 at the Kelso School District, retiring as Human Resources Supervisor.

 In retirement, she enjoyed spending winters in Yuma, AZ with her husband, spending time with numerous friends including Birthday Club, a group of friends from the KHS class of 1955, her sewing group, her children, 22 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. All of her children and grandchildren cherish their handmade Swedish weave afghan blankets that she made by hand. Barbara chose the colors and patterns that she thought each recipient would love. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother. She is survived by her husband Jim, her nine children Jim Fernandez, Jr., Diana (Kevin) Rahn, Nancy (Darrell) Womack, Carleen (Greg) Wolgamott, Theresa (Jim) Murphy, Annette (Rich) Gushman, Jami Christiansen, Robin (Tim) Carns and Renee (Jeff) Kjose, her sister-in-law Kay Williquette, maternal cousins Patricia (Kim) Sullivan and Scott (Pamela) Jackson, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

 A Funeral Mass will be held on September 18, 2024, at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Kelso, WA at 11:00 AM. A Rosary service will precede the mass at 10:30 AM. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Barbara’s name to Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and Southwest Washington at www.ovariancancerosw.org/donate/.