Lydia Hernandez, a mother and grandmother in the truest form, passed away on October 09, 2025 at 1255pm peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. At 87 years of age, mom was the last of her family and surpassed her brothers and sisters in life. She is survived by her children Patricia, Ricardo Luis, Jesus, and Lidia. She will reunite with her deceased husband John and her children who passed previously including Fidel, Juan, Andrea, and Alfredo. At nearly 88 years of age, she accomplished being a grandmother of at least nineteen grandkids, twenty great grandchildren, and is the great-great grandmother of two boys. I am certain I am missing a few, but she would remember every single one or her grandchildren.
Lydia was a matriarch who raised not only nine kids of her own, but she also raised several of her grandchildren and took in other family members at different times. She spent most of her life as a homemaker which means she had the toughest job with the lowest pay. Lydia’s love for nurturing things was evident not just in the children she raised but in her beautiful garden, which she lovingly tended. Any plant she took interest in was quickly relieved of a branch that Lydia used as a starter to grow in her own garden.
Lydia’s love for her family was evident in her cooking. There was always food on the stove for when the kids would come home from school or practice. During the time that she did work, she would make dinner and leave it on the stove for the kids. When you watched her in the kitchen you would see her singing along to the rancheras on the radio and occasionally dancing as she toiled away. She put all that love into the food she made. Because a few of her kids lived out of state, she would have their favorite meal ready when they came to visit.
Lydia was a social butterfly and had many friends, some from work and many friends at church. She was always ready to share a “dicho” or two. She was very funny and always made people smile and laugh. This is not to say she didn’t chide you when you did wrong. In fact, I am surprised none of us have one ear longer than the other from the many times she pulled our ears to get our attention. That just shows she knew how to keep things balanced so she pulled from both sides.
Lydia was the rock of our family and the glue that held us all together. Her love for her family was limitless. Despite all the challenges life threw her, she remained a strong pillar for us all. She stood by her husband until the end to keep our family together. Thank you Mama for all you have been and all you have done. Go rest with Pops and we will meet again for frijoles, tortillas, and coffee.
