Maria Fernanda Cesnik

Maria Fernanda (Masilli) Cesnik passed away surrounded by family at her home in Pikesville, Maryland in the early hours of December 1st. For the past decade, she had fought valiantly in her battle with cancer—during which she saw her children build lives of their own, relocated to the east coast, witnessed and helped raise her granddaughter, and showed those around her how to live with dignity, joy, and love.

Fernanda was born January 15th, 1966, to Alicia Martin and Enrique Mario Masilli in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. She studied at the Instituto Superior María Auxiliadora and the Universidad Nacional del Sur in Bahia Blanca, and later at Indiana University Bloomington. As a child, she learned her love of gardening, reading and languages. In a story worthy of a film script, she “met” her future husband Matt through a pen pal program—writing letters back and forth between Argentina and the US and many places between. After several years, they met and married in Bahia Blanca before moving to Matt’s home state of Indiana. A longtime resident of Bloomington, Indiana, Fernanda was a familiar face at several Kroger stores, where she worked for over twenty years. She was strongly proud of her heritage, and helped keep alive traditions and recipes from Italy, Spain, and her husband’s family in Slovenia.

Fernanda was a deeply creative person, who encouraged her children and loved ones to appreciate art, music, gardening, and pursuits that soothed and nurtured the soul. She had a deep compassion for all living beings, which extended to the many rescue dogs she welcomed into her home over the years, most recently, her beloved Jack. She showed those around her how to enjoy the small things in life, such as thrifting at Opportunity House or a trip to an art museum – both in good times and in times of struggle. Until her last days, she always knew what to say and what small things to do that might bring comfort and joy. She was a natural protector – someone who would valiantly defend those she loved and was always ready to open her home to those who needed support or a safe place to land. As her family and close friends will attest, she was the strongest person we knew, and she instilled in all of us the importance of family, justice, and the importance of doing what’s right.

Fernanda is survived by her husband of 34 years Matt, son Matthew and daughter-in-law Kaitlyn Blansett, daughter Abigail and son-in-law Zachary Berliner, grand-daughter Charlotte Berliner, father Mario Masilli, brother Esteban Masilli and sister-in-law Leticia Gervasoni, and many other in-laws, family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother Alicia, her beloved grandparents, and uncle Juan Carlos Martin.

Her family wishes to thank all the doctors, nurses, and staff who provided care during her long fight with cancer, particularly Dr. Ross Donehower, the oncology teams at Johns Hopkins University and Indiana University Health, and the home hospice nurses and support staff at Gilcrest.

In the spring, the family will hold a celebration of life in Bloomington—where they hope many of the people who knew and loved her can come together and remember her. Arrangements will be shared at a later date. Funeral service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC.