Mary Agnes “Aggie” Fernando, a distinguished parasitology researcher and longtime faculty member at the University of Guelph, passed away in 2026. Born on June 13, 1931, in Matara, Sri Lanka, she was the eldest of eight children in a family deeply committed to education. Her father, Thomas Olivelle, was a respected high school teacher and principal, while her mother, Agnes Olivelle, was noted for her strength and devotion to her children.

Fernando's academic journey began in Sri Lanka, where her early enthusiasm for learning was evident. After excelling in school, she pursued medical studies in Colombo during the 1950s and later completed a Ph.D. in parasitology at the University of Singapore in the early 1960s. In 1957, she married Herbert Fernando, a scholar who had recently earned his doctorate from Oxford University. The couple had three children—Joseph, Mary, and Shanti—and lived in Sri Lanka and Singapore before relocating to Waterloo, Canada, in 1965, following Herbert’s appointment as a professor at the University of Waterloo.

Starting in 1966, Fernando joined the Department of Pathology at the Ontario Veterinary College, where she dedicated 35 years to research, teaching, and mentorship. Over her extensive career, she earned international recognition for her work in parasitology and played a pivotal role in training numerous veterinarians. Colleagues and students remembered her as both intellectually sharp and personally warm, attributes that fostered a supportive academic environment.

Beyond her professional achievements, Fernando was known for her hospitality and wide-ranging curiosity about the world. Alongside her husband, she welcomed friends and colleagues into their home and traveled extensively across multiple continents including North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. She maintained close ties with her siblings in Sri Lanka and was a valued member of her extended family, offering guidance on medical, financial, and personal matters.

In recent years, Fernando resided at the Sunshine Center in Luther Village, Waterloo, where she continued to build friendships and share her wisdom. Her family noted her enduring influence and presence in their lives.

A public memorial service will be held on October 24, 2026, in Waterloo, with a private family interment to follow. The family has requested donations be made to the K-W Multicultural Centre or UNICEF in lieu of flowers.