Maria Elena (Helen) Fernandez Trujillo

The leader of the band has sung her last song.  Her last dance has faded into memory.  I hope my music and songs will remain in your heart forever.

Born to Manuel and Vera Fernandez on August 23, 1923. Elena graduated from South High in 1951. She went on to become a surgical nurse at Holy Cross hospital and was present at the first bypass at LDS Hospital and the first kidney transplant in the intermountain west. She was an accomplished singer and musician who travelled the world with her husband and their jazz band Elena and Summerwind. She always said that her dearly beloved husband Joey (Wally) was her guiding light, role model and mentor.  “He gave me unqualified love and unlimited loyalty, honor and honesty.”  Elena wore many hats throughout her life and career.  President of the Utah Jazz Society, regular guest with her band on live broadcast on KUER with her band, a graduate of the Spanish Speaking Health and Mental Health Task and a volunteer board member of Salt Lake County housing authorities’ residential advisory board. She won many awards throughout her life including 1962 Honorary Degree of  Speaker of the House by Utah Association of  Nurseryman, 1992 Counterpoint Civic Club for outstanding service in mental health, 2001 Certificate of Recognition Utah Gang Conference and 2004 HASLC commission  Commendation for dedication and commitment to residential advisory board.

Elena wrote of the many people in her life she wished to thank for their support and love. Her beloved Wally, her beloved nieces Angelica and Michelle who she loved and treasured beyond words, band mates Doran Smart and Bill Puckett and all the members of her band Summerwind and her musical family, late night host of KUET Steve Williams, the Japanese Buddhist Community,  Dr Tsukasa Fujimoto, Director of HASLC Rosemary Kappas,  Vangi Ruiz for her special friendship, Natasha Johannesson who was like a sister, Mary Alice Dechter, Virginia Dissell, life- long friend Dee Bagshaw who was “always there for me”, Detective Kevin Crane, “sweet Lily”,  dear  friends Ruth Hancock, Jeanine Massey, Lola and Rufus Stopper ,  and Naomi Spencer  “the daughter I never had”  and so many others who touched her life.  She had an incredible life of love, faith, music, laughter, joy and her one great love her husband Wally.

Preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joseph “Wally” Waldo Trujillo; her sisters Lily and Vera Fernandez,  Frances Green, Dottie East, Carolyn Cressall; and brother William Fernandez.