Obituary of Estela Fernandez McKenzie

Estela Dixon Fernandez McKenzie died peacefully at Messinger Care Home in Marina, California, on December 20, 2023. She was 92. Estela was born August 12, 1931, to Roman and Laura Fernandez in Baguio, Philippines, where she was raised. As a lifelong Catholic who survived The Great Depression and World War II, she persevered to live a life of love, kindness and compassionate service.

Estela was Valedictorian at Saint Louis High School in Baguio. After high school, Estela considered college and the convent until she met Patrick McKenzie, Sr. They wed on August 27, 1952, were married 66 years, and together had 7 children. While Patrick served in the U.S. Army, they lived in several countries and states until he retired in 1968 and they settled in Seaside. Estela worked as a Special Education Instructional Aide at Del Rey Woods Elementary School. She was an active parishioner at St. Francis Xavier Church in Seaside and at Ord Military Chapel, and for decades served as a catechism teacher and on Respect Life efforts. At St. Francis Xavier, she worked on the committee that established the annual St. Francis Xavier International Festival and formed the Angelus Club, a prayer group devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and family life. Guided by the motto “All for Jesus Through Mary” the Club’s fundraising efforts established an endowment for Catholic Schools, Religious Education, and Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Monterey. In her final years she worshipped at San Carlos Cathedral.

Estela is preceded in death by her husband, Patrick, who passed away on their 66th wedding anniversary in 2018, and her son-in-law RC Schwertfeger. She is survived by her 7 children: Miriam “Mimi” Schwertfeger, Patrick McKenzie (Agnes), Raymond McKenzie (Sandra), Marie “Mia” Myers (Stephen), Thomas McKenzie, John McKenzie (Karen), Arthur McKenzie (Rosa); 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; her sisters Mercedes Balinsat, Naty Doyle, Jeanne Biddles (Hank), Trudy Fernandez; and many nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful to Estela’s primary care physician Dr. Shebab Saddy, and to the kind and devoted caregivers at Messinger Care Home, especially Christine Estamo for her care for “Auntie.”

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 15, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, followed by the Rosary and Chapel Service from 4:00–5:00 pm, at Mission Mortuary, 1915 Ord Grove Avenue, Seaside, California.

The Funeral Mass is on Tuesday, January 16, 9:30 am at San Carlos Cathedral, 500 Church St., Monterey, California; Christian Burial will immediately follow at Mission Memorial Park, 1915 Ord Grove Avenue, Seaside, California.

To honor Estela’s decades of charitable works, the family asks that you please consider a donation to: Angelus Club, Diocese of Monterey, 425 Church Street, Monterey, California, 93940.