Mercedes Fernandez Rivas, 79, of Key West, passed away on September 26, 2018, in High Springs, Florida.

Funeral service will be held at St. Madeleine Catholic Church on October 05, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Marek Dzien of St. Madeleine Catholic Church officiating. Burial will follow at St. Madeleine Memorial Garden.

Mercy was born in Regla, Cuba to Rafael and Juana Fernandez on April 15, 1939. Mercy only worked outside of the home for a relatively short time in her life. She spent 15 years as an elementary school food service cook (Sigsbee and Poinciana). She was very proud of the role she played in the students’ lives. Holding true to one of her fundamental beliefs, that if you love someone you cook for them, she knew many of her students on a first name basis, knew what their favorite snack was, and would have it ready for them before they arrived in the cafeteria. She had a special affinity for the students with special needs. All of the students would get their treats, whether they could pay for them or not. Often times Mercy would meet the student at the register and hand them their snack, while simultaneously paying the cashier for it.

Throughout those years, the long standing joke with her husband was whether or not she actually made a profit from working outside of the home. If you asked Mercy what accomplishment she was most proud of, her answer would always be her two children Angel (April) and Regina, and in turn her 5 granddaughters: Alyssa, Lindsey, Emily, Abbey, and Sydney. She was proud of the effort and love she poured into them as well as the people they have become. Mercy was selfless in providing for her family and her love for them was nothing short of adoration.

She moved to the United States with her husband Angel, whom she was married to for 61 years, when she was 18 years old, to provide the best possible opportunities for a family they had yet to have. Her stubborn, yet loving way ensured that everyone else’s needs were met before her own. She shaped her family’s decision making with her desire to work hard, stay humble, do things the “right way” and always give a little more than expected, just because it’s the right thing to do.

Mercy is preceded in death by her parents, brother Rafael and sisters, Caridad Drago, Clara Fernandez, and Maria Lopez. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Haven Hospice of Gainesville, Florida.