Martha D. Fernandez's Obituary
Martha Diane Fernandez, 81, passed away on Wednesday, January 21,2026 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Fl.
Martha was predeceased by her mother Felipa Arnaiz Fonfria, her Father Jose Maria Fernandez, and her sister Rosemary Fernandez. She is survived by many cousins in Florida, New Jersey, and Spain. She will be deeply missed by family members and friends.
Martha was born and lived her entire life in Tampa. She was a lifelong member of the Centro Asturiano. Martha was a graduate of The University of Tampa and completed graduate studies at the University of South Florida. She served as an educator in various capacities through her long and accomplished career in Hillsborough County. She was an avid cook and especially enjoyed trying new recipes and baking desserts to share with friends and family members. Martha loved to travel and made a number of trips to her parents homeland of Spain as well as to places across the United States and Europe.
After her retirement from teaching, she enjoyed sewing, quilting and needlepoint with “The Stitchers Club”, a group formed with fellow parishioners of St. Lawrence Church. She felt a deep sense of satisfaction making and donating items for the residents and patients of local organizations such as nursing homes and the Neonatal ICU at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Also, after her retirement, Martha enjoyed taking long road trips with her sister Rosemary to family visits in Atlanta and New Jersey.
Martha’s family wishes to acknowledge with deep gratitude the wonderful and compassionate care given to her by the staff at Florentina's House Assisted Living Facility.
Family and friends who wish to join us in the Celebration of Life for Martha may do so on February 9, 2026, at 10:30 am at the Boza & Roel Funeral Home in Tampa.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Martha’s memory to St, Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
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