Peabody - Mrs. Julia Fernandes, 100, a long-time Portuguese resident of Peabody, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on November 18th, 2023, in the comforting presence of her family by her side.

Julia was a generous, devoted, compassionate, and affectionate mother, grandmother, and friend, who touched the lives of so many in the community with her kindness, love, and gifts of her time. A life-long and talented seamstress, Julia worked at New England Sportswear on Walnut Street in Peabody for 44 years. Julia was particularly proud to have sewn custom wedding gowns, especially for her closest friends and family.

Julia celebrated her milestone 100th birthday this past July 26th, 2023. In her honor, her family arranged to gift Julia the “VóVó Tree,” which was planted in Emerson Park in Peabody as a tribute to her life. With the intention that the “VóVó Tree” would be a meaningful site to visit for years to come, the Fernandes Family’s hope is that Julia’s tree will be similarly beautiful, strong, and resilient, and will make many people smile – just as Julia did.

Julia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who dedicated her life and hard work to her family. Julia is pre-deceased by her late husband, José. Julia is survived by her two sons, Joseph Fernandes, and his wife, Susan Lyons Fernandes of Peabody, MA, and John Fernandes and his wife, Jean Keeffe Fernandes of Beverly, MA. She is also survived by her two granddaughters, Joanna Fernandes, and her husband, Christian Hansen, of Newburyport, MA, and Kristen McNamara and her husband, Ryan McNamara, of Chicago, IL. Julia was also blessed to have two great-grandsons, Nash Fernandes Hansen of Newburyport, MA, and James McNamara of Chicago, IL, whom she loved very much.

Arrangements: A visitation will be held on Friday, November 24th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at 82 Lynn Street in Peabody, MA. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather for a Funeral Mass on Saturday, November 25th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish at 1 Margin Street in Peabody, MA, followed by Julia’s burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Salem, MA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Julia’s memory to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, c/o Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923 or online at https://giving.caredimensions.org/. Julia’s family expresses their deepest appreciation to the Kaplan team for their comfort and care, and profound gratitude to Julia’s wonderful friends – for their time, cherished friendship, and endless gestures of kindness and love.