SHERBURNE – Barbara Gaines Fernandez passed away peacefully in her sleep Aug. 26, 2012 in Portsmouth, RI.
Barbara was born April 15, 1924 in Sherburne, to Clarence F. Gaines, founder of the Gaines Dog Food Co., and his wife Amelia Ryan Gaines. She was the oldest of five children. Barbara graduated from Marymount Academy in Tarrytown, and continued her studies graduating from Marymount College in 1945.
Barbara married A. Christie Fernandez in 1946 upon his return from serving his country and reaching the rank of lieutenant as a pilot in the Army Air Corp. She and Chris Fernandez settled in Norwich, where they raised four children, Christie, Mark, David, and Drew. Widowed in July 1965, Barbara steadfastly raised her family.
In November 1969 Barbara married Derek Drummond of St. John, USVI where she resided for the next ten years. With her children grown, Barbara lived in Newport, RI with her family and wintered in Florida.
Barbara was a skier, sailor, cook, and loved the ponies. Definitely unflappable in any challenging situation or crisis, Barbara also possessed a quiet kindness and lived her life practicing many silent acts of generosity. She had an understated, yet wonderfully elegant, presence - always fashionable, gracious and dignified. Barbara was happiest spending time with her family and many friends.
Left to honor, remember, and love Barbara are her four children - Christie and husband Ed Smith of Newport, RI; Mark and wife Laura Fernandez of Newport, RI; David and wife Lissa Fernandez of Middletown, RI; and Drew and his wife Sarah Fernandez of Middletown, RI. Also surviving are Barbara’s grandchildren Christopher Smith, Bess Fernandez, Ryan Smith, Anne Fernandez, Alex Fernandez, Leigh Fernandez, Ben Fernandez, Teddy Fernandez, and Carolina Fernandez, and three great-grandchildren Shaelyn Smith, Colin Smith, and Ayleigh Smith. She also leaves her sisters Mary Gaines of New York, and Joan Dinneen of Winter Park, FL and sisters-in-law Joan Gaines of Lexington, KY and Toni Fernandez Ritchie and her husband David Ritchie MD of Washington, NC.
Barbara was preceded in death by husbands Chris Fernandez and Rick Drummond, her parents, sister Gloria Gaines, and brother John R. Gaines.
At her request, a private memorial service will be held for her family. Donations in Barbara’s name may be made to the Potter League for Animals, P.O. Box 412, Newport, RI 02840, or Camp Dudley, William J. Schmidt Scholarship Fund, 126 Dudley Road, Westport, NY 12993, or the Norwich YMCA, 68 North Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements by Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.
An online tribute can be visited at www.memorialfuneralhome.com.