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JONATHAN MILTONWith friends and family near - along with fond memories of her Spanish hometown, Maria Fernandez marks another milestone.
Her bedroom overflows with memories of years past: furniture handmade by her late husband and pictures of family and friends.
Most days, loved ones drop by for a visit. Her green eyes and welcoming smile communicate her life of joy, pain and, mostly, love.
Maria Fernandez has a lot to be happy about.
She has made it to see another year. At 107, Fernandez has outlived three of her four children, one of whom she recently lost this year.
She celebrated her birthday Aug. 18. On Saturday, her closest friends and family gathered at her daughter's home to honor her life and learn from her example. Her favorite music by opera star Andrea Bocelli played in the background.
Fernandez spends most of her time visiting with relatives and watching Spanish news channels.
When asked what has kept her alive, she answered Concepcion, her daughter. Concepcion and her husband, Dr. Robert Iglesias, take care of her at their Beach Park home.
Another driving force is Fernandez's memories of her birthplace of Orense in Galicia, Spain.
Even at 107, she can explain every detail about her hometown.
"The music, the dancing, everything was beautiful. The paso doble, the Jota," she said.
"She often cries at night because she thinks of her old home," great-granddaughter Yvette Ciccarello said.
During the family gathering, Fernandez's face lit up when friends Dr. Jimmy Edmond and his wife, Nichole, introduced her to their 6-month-old son, Alexander. Tears ran down her face as she quietly whispered, "God bless this child."
"It's a full circle of life right here in this room," said Edmond's brother, Daniel.
Before she dies, Fernandez hopes to return to Spain to visit a bridge that was central to her childhood. For now, she holds a picture of it close to her heart.
- Jonathan Milton can be reached at 226-3374 or at milton@sptimes.com