Fernanda Vargas

Date of Birth

Sep 24,1932

Date of Death

Jan 17,2012

Fernanda Vargas, age 79, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 surrounded by the love and prayers of her family. She was born September 24, 1932 in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico to Felix and Agustina Hernandez. Fernanda was the fifth of eight children. Fernanda spent her early years on the family farm, where she had grown especially close to her pet pig. Along with her mother and sisters, they made clothing for the local community. Their skill sets were not limited to just clothing, but also farmed fruits and vegetables for their neighbors. In her teen years she caught the eye of a young man, Trinidad Vargas. Before they knew it, they were married on July 14, 1951. After they were married they began their family, and welcomed Carmen into their life. Now that their family was started, they made their way to Chicago to provide a better life for their children. Over the next 12 years they were blessed with four more children; Miguel, Helen, Edwin, and Robert.Fernanda worked at a number of factories to help support the family. She made seatbelts, golf balls, sanded television cabinets for Zenith, and worked at "the pickle place"(Claussen). After countless efforts to find the right career, she landed a job with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) where she spent 20 years. She was the first woman car servicer for CTA, where she maintained the train cars. You would find her at any of the local shops working away to allow the commuters a nice clean ride. Fernanda could be described as a selfless, hardworking, and strong woman. She was the "the funniest woman we knew." The Vargas sense of humor came from her. You often found her sitting watching "her stories," particularly The Young and the Restless. If she wasn’t watching her stories, you would find her in her garden. She was not a stranger to the kitchen as well. If you walked into her house you would immediately be greeted by the aroma of her home cooking. If the weather permitted, she moved her kitchen outside to the barbeque. Her specialties on the grill were chicken, ribs, and sausage smothered in Open Pit Original. She always loved having her family around her. She especially loved spending her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a "true grandma." She would do what she felt was fit, often sneaking coffee and soda to the young ones. All of the young ones gained their love for marbles from her. She enjoyed the simple things in life. Her brother Paulino VargasShe is survived by her children Carmen (Kirk) Polder Mike (Ruth) VargasHelen Vargas (Rob Rack) Edwin VargasRobert (Nancy) VargasHer GrandchildrenJenny, Joselo, Lisa, Nelson, John, Shelley, Katie, Jonathan, Reuben, Derrick, Vanessa, Danny, Veronica, Grace, Phillip, Amanda, Anthony, John, and Joseph Her special little onesJr., Nani, Neyla, Celeste, Genesis, Neveah, Violet, Anthony, William, and Alyster. She was preceded in death by her parentsHer brothers and sisters Juana, Ignacio, Victoria, Susanna, Carmelo, and NarcisaVisitation will be held on Thursday January 19, 2012 from 3:00 to 9:00 pm at Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 West 95th Street, Oak Lawn, IL. Funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held at St. Gerald, 9310 S. 55th Court Friday, January 20, 2012 at 11:00am. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.A memorial has been established in Fernanda’s name. Memorial check may be made out to "The Fernanda Vargas Memorial " and mailed in care to P.O. Box 8049, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family through www.conleycare.com.

Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Gerald Catholic Church, Oak Lawn, IL

St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Evergreen Park, IL

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