Camelia Truan Gutierrez

— February 5, 2019

Camelia Truan Gutierrez, 72, of Oak Harbor, passed away at Skagit Valley Hospital, Monday, Feb. 5, 2019, following a brief illness.

Camelia was born in Kingsville, Texas, on Feb. 10, 1946, to Eugenio Davila Mendez and Francisca Eloisa (Truan) Mendez. She was raised in Kingsville, and spent much of her life there. She met and married Angel Anthony Fernandez while he was home on leave from serving in the US Navy. She also lived in Longview, Wash., before moving to Oak Harbor to be near her son and daughter.

Camelia loved to cook, especially for family and close friends. She was known for her generous hospitality and preparing meals with an abundance of delicious homemade Mexican dishes. Above anything else she loved her family: children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Camelia is survived by her four children: Angel Anthony Fernandez, Eugenio Enrique Fernandez of Longview, David Fernandez and daughter-in-law, Angela, and Camelia Eloisa Jensen and son-in-law, Israel E. Buchholz; 10 grandchildren: Angelia Fernandez, Makala M. Fernandez, David Fernandez, Jr., Harley J. Fernandez, Julio T. Fernandez, Serenity B. Fernandez, Angel A. Broon, Genio L.F. Despain, Mariah L. Despain  and Summer J. Brodie; nine great-grandchildren: Aliyah M. Thomasson, Frankie Dillard, Jr., Anthony Dillard, Jason Jensen, Jr., Tristen Martin Rathers, Genio L.F. Despain, Jr., James P.D. Cox, Aaliyah J. Molina and Jasper D. Fernandez; sister Maria Ruiz (“Tita”); brothers: Joe Mendez and Julio Mendez. Camelia was preceded in death by her son Luis Fernandez and by siblings Eugene Mendez, Manuel Mendez, Linda Canales, Robert Canales, Francis Seanz and Bennita Gonzales. (May their souls be playful once again together!)

Visitation will be Saturday, Feb. 16, from noon to 5 p.m. at Whidbey Memorial Funeral Home, followed by a reception at Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene, 1100 W Whidbey Ave., from 5-8 p.m. Interment will take place at Hudson Cemetery, Rainier, Ore., where Camelia will be buried next to her mother, Francisca Eloisa Mayfield, and her son, Luis Fernandez. (Those interested in attending the service in Oregon may contact David Fernandez at 360-914-8988.) Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.