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Ophelia Opie Espino Fernandez

Posted 2021-12-27 by mhenderson
Published by Yuma Sun on Dec. 26, 2021 -
Yuma, Arizona -

Ophelia Ophie Espino Fernandez was born on March 27, 1921 in Yuma,
Arizona. On Monday, December 13th of 2021, the Lords faithful servant
returned home and was reunited in heaven with her parents, Luis and
Carmen Gonzales. She was also reunited with her beloved granddaughter,
Shelley, who went to be with the Lord a little over a year ago. Being
that she lived to be 100 years old, what a beautiful, long-awaited
reunion that she must have had with her family and friends.

Ophelia lived a long and very blessed life. Born to her two hardworking
parents, she was raised in a home that valued faith, family, servitude,
and a strong work ethic. These values were very evident and gifted to
her family all throughout her life. Ophelia graduated from Yuma High
School, Class of 1939. After her studies, she went on to work for 36
years as a bookkeeper for the Yuma County Motor Vehicle. She was very
fond of the friendships made during her work days.

As a devoted wife, mother, Nana, aunt and friend, Ophelia would do
anything to serve her family and community. She loved to cook for her
family and have everyone around the dinner table after she would whip
something up, real quick. She doted and spoiled her grandchildren and
great grandchildren with her love and attention. Ophelia's main missions
in life were to emphasize the importance of faith in Jesus, family, and
to love and serve others well. As a proud member of the Legion of Mary,
she was also very involved in many community service projects. She was
particularly proud of her involvement with the Salvation Army, her
countless visits to nursing homes and hospitals, and crocheting bonnets,
slippers, and blankets for church donations. When she was physically
unable to serve, she began giving donations to charitable organizations
that encouraged prayer and helped orphans and the sick. Ophelia knew the
value of making each interaction, each work, and each dollar count in
the lives of others.

Ophelia's constant love, her wisdom, her hugs, her laugh, her huge
heart, her stories, her food, and even her non-stop QVC and PCH
purchases- will truly be missed. To be a part of her life was to know
the meaning of love and family. Her strong legacy will live on through
her family, who adored her.

Nothing pleased Ophelia more than being surrounded by her family. She is
survived by her daughter, Lucille Ponce; her granddaughters, Annett
Kratzer (Kenneth), Amanda Schultz (Clinton); her great-grandsons,
Matthew Shook and Kyle Schultz; her great-granddaughter, Aleah Shook and
Kinsley Schultz; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death
by her granddaughter, Michelle Shook; her son-in law, Anthony Ponce; her
sisters, Maria Louisa Gonzales and Gloria Acuna; her husband, Frank
Fernandez; and her first husband who was killed in WWII, Frank Espino.

The wake will be held on Tuesday, December 28th at Desert Valley
Mortuary from 5pm- 9pm with a rosary at 7pm. Desert Valley is located
at: 1385 S. Ave. B, Somerton, Arizona 85350. Funeral services will be
the following day, Wednesday, December 29th at Immaculate Conception
Church at 10am. Burial services will take place after the mass at Desert
Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Please do wear a mask while you are saying your
condolences to the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Ophelia's name to St.
Jude's Children Research Hospital.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun




Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.

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