Born and raised in Binmaley, Pangasinan, Beth was the 6th and youngest child of Ireneo and Modesta Fernandez. She was considered an above-average student, likely because her parents were prominent educators at her school. As a young girl, she spent most of her days enjoying the beach, playing with her older brother Arthur, and learning the piano.  She completed her college career at the University of the East  and started her career as an administrative assistant at Advertising & Marketing Associates (AMA) in Manila, where she met Bert, her husband of 55 years.  AMA was one of the largest full-service ad agencies in the Philippines and Bert was one of the artists in the Art Department. It was also at AMA where Beth met her work barkadas and lifetime friends, Estela, Merci, and Leny. Work and social life back then were filled with weekend "lakwatsas," sometimes to Binmaley, Pangasinan, with Bert in tow as their driver. Eventually, the "lakwatsas," social outings and constant teasing from work friends led to Bert and Beth dating, and their marriage in 1969.

In 1971, they welcomed their only child, Yvette, who inherited Beth's independent spirit, stubborness and "katarayan." BF Homes, Paranaque is where Beth and Bert settled to raise their small family, surrounded by the nicest neighbors, who also later became lifelong friends.  In 1984, Beth and family moved to Guam to support Bert's career in art direction and print advertising. Meanwhile, Beth found her career niche in Guam's banking industry, working closely with and supporting the president of an international financial institution. By 1988, Beth and Bert bid goodbye to the island and moved to the Bay Area to support their daughter's desire to enroll in a university in California.  

Beth's time in the Bay Area was  peppered with landmark life events and significant memories. It was where she witnessed her daughter receive her diploma from UC Santa Cruz (but was always unsure what her daughter's actual degree is); where she proudly held the title of "mother-of-the-bride" at her daughter's (outside-the-Church) garden wedding; and where she became a Lola when her first apo, Mallory, was born. In 2003, Beth and Bert packed up and left the Bay Area for Phoenix, Ariz. to be with their daughter's growing family. Phoenix was where Beth truly immersed in her new role as Lola to, not one, but two apos -- Mallory and Timbo. She was the kids' ever-dependent "sundo" driver, from their early grade school days to high school. She attended almost every one of Tim's baseball games and Mallory's school performances. She spoiled them with after-school "merienda" and often cooked the kids' favorite Filipino meals. Her grandchildren's graduation from University of Arizona and Arizona State were two of her proudest moments. 

Beth possessed the right amount of kindness and contentiousness. One moment, she would demonstrate her  compassion for someone with a sincere "Kawawa naman. Naawa ako sa kanya." And the next, she would be  unapologetic and combative just to prove her opinions held more weight. "Aawayin ko siya!" was her battlecry. She was a bit of a control freak, but would never admit it. She remembered numbers really well, and recalled past memories and events with great detail. 

Beth was the loyal and caring partner to Bert, especially during his trips to the hospital. She was always supportive of Yvette, particularly during the beakup of her marriage. She embraced the newer members of the family -- Lars and Kyle. Most importantly, she loved her immediate and extended family, sometimes expressing it in unconventional ways. 

Beth lived a well-rounded life, surrounded by family and friends. She was feisty through and through, though her heart could barely endure it. Along with her immediate family, Beth also is survived by her siblings Rudy Fernandez, Aurora Revereza, and sisters-in-law, Vangie and Vilma Fernandez. On June 28, 2024, she was warmly welcomed by her Papang and Mamang, her sisters Nora and Purita, her brother Arthur, and her loyal pet, Jackson. 

To watch a short video about her life, click here: https://youtu.be/rLgbNsIeRXQ 

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