Roseanna Fernandes, 58, of Brockton, died June 26.
During her more than 20 years as music director of Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Milton, Mrs. Fernandes helped the church become a multi-cultural community.
“It was a church that was in transition, looking for a new day, and she helped the congregation find that new day,” said the Rev. George Welles, rector of the church.
She also led the church’s Godly Play school program.
She was “an extraordinarily gifted person who taught us about approaching God through music and a life of service,” said Welles. “And she worked with our children in that same way.”
Born in Philadelphia, she taught in the Boston public school system for 34 years, including the visual and performing arts department at Boston Latin School for 26 years.
“We recall her joy of the past few weeks as Mrs. Fernandes celebrated her upcoming retirement with family, faculty and students – past and present,” Boston Latin Headmaster Lynne Mooney Teta said in a prepared statement.
Mrs. Fernandes, who was preparing to retire at the end of this school year, was honored in April with a surprise tribute at Boston Latin’s annual music night.
She is survived by her husband, Julio Fernandes; two daughters, Tyisha Fernandes, of Florida, and Deanna Fernandes, of New York; a son, Greg Fernandes, of Brockton; and a granddaughter.
Church of Our Saviour plans to hold a memorial celebration in September.
Donations may be made to charity. A memorial fund also has been established at Church of Our Saviour, 453 Adams St., Milton, MA 02186.