Heartfelt tributes continue to pour in for 106-year-old Alice Joan Fernandez, whose funeral will take place on Wednesday in Newlands East, Durban. 

The grand old lady of Durban, known for her love of newspapers and her habit of breaking into song at any opportunity, died on Tuesday, a month short of her 107th birthday.

Affectionately known as Granny Alice and regarded as the “queen” of her community, her life and longevity were frequently celebrated in local newspapers whenever she reached a milestone birthday.

In previous interviews, she shared one of her secrets to a long life: “Live life being happy and do not be sorrowful.”

Community activist Lawrence Palmer explained that a special prayer meeting and community candlelight vigil honouring Fernandez will be held outside her flat in Garuppa Crescent, Newlands East, at 6.30pm on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Her funeral is expected to be held at Holy Family Parish in Newlands East on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 10am.

Palmer mentioned that Fernandez’s parting words during his frequent visits to her home continue to resonate deeply with him.

She told him to put God first in everything, respect all people, and love with your whole heart.

Despite her advanced age, Fernandez remained sharp and independent-minded. She took pride in being able to read novels and watch television without the aid of reading glasses, and often expressed deep love and gratitude for her family and grandchildren.

Palmer said Fernandez attended a community initiative, Ubuntu Music in the Park, several times.

“I am forever grateful to Shaeida Daniels for introducing me to Granny Alice – a remarkable woman. She was a treasured member of our community, radiating love, wisdom, and joy. Every moment with her was a gift, filled with laughter, song, and dance,” he said.

“She stressed the importance of taking care of our children. Don’t make them if you won’t love and take care of them. Her legacy of love, faith, and community will live on through us,” Palmer added.

He also thanked Joan and Lolly Fernandez for loving Fernandez so much and choosing to care for her at home. “It meant the world to her, and to us.” 

Shonel De Boer, an MPL in KwaZulu-Natal and a former councillor in Newlands East, said that Fernandez always had an inspirational message for anyone she met.

“Granny Fernandez was always surrounded by people who loved her and whom she loved. She will be missed by her family and the community. I thank God for affording me the opportunity to have been in such a remarkable woman’s presence. We will continue to draw inspiration from what she left us with,” she said.

One of her favourite songs was ‘I’m Sitting on Top of the World’, performed by Aretha Franklin and released in 1962.

Fernandez is survived by three of her five daughters — two predeceased her — as well as 19 grandchildren and more than 30 great-grandchildren.

Born in Durban, she grew up at St Philomena’s Children’s Home on the Berea and later lived with her parents on Sydenham Road. After getting married, she moved to Booth Avenue in Sydenham before settling in Newlands East in 1979.

In her younger years, Fernandez worked at a clothing factory before joining her father, Nelson, in his tailor shop, A.S. Fernandez, on Pine Street — now known as Monty Naicker Road.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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