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I’m certain that the foundation she provided us is sturdy and everlasting. She taught us that you don’t take life for granted. She taught us that through the pain, you have to laugh. She taught me that the girl who became a mom and wife at 17, and worked in the home her whole life, is what STRONG can look like. She taught me that someone who’s been through it all can still look at a new baby, a new life with wonder and hope. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that she literally took a bullet. When I say she was strong, I mean in every way. She also passed the same day as Jimmy Carter, and I couldn’t help but think that we lost two wonderful American patriots that day. (She would tell you she was a proud American in heavily accented, broken English lol ❤️) 

She lived a lot of life. She even lost two children before she passed. She has been ready to meet them and my grandpa for a long time. I’m glad she’s finally at peace 🕊️ 

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In 1970, my grandma Esther, at 38 years old, mother of four, wife to a union member, copper refinery worker, had to try and make sense of losing her oldest son, just 20 years old, in the Vietnam War.  

Honestly, I don’t think that she ever did make sense of that, a most pivotal event in her life. Nevertheless, and most importantly, the ridiculously resilient and strong woman that she was continued to bring joy and laughter and care into her family—from her first grandson, born to her first son’s widow, to becoming a great grandma 20 times over, and a great, GREAT grandma a few years ago! 

She truly made us laugh. The nicknames she had for us. How brazenly blunt she could be in both languages. The Spanglish comedy gold she gave us (e.g., the hilarious confusion she caused when she told people I was going to Yale, but pronounced it “jail”).

I grew up spending many weekends at her house. Many Sundays where my cousins and I ran around her house, and the backyard, and the front yard, spilling into the little surrounding neighborhood. From then until this past Christmas, whenever we’ve gathered at my grandma’s and packed cars on that tiny street, and congregated in the driveway and backyard, laughing, drinking, playing games, kids running around screaming, adults yelling over each other and the high-volume music in the background, I’d wonder how annoyed the neighbors must be 😂

I felt resolved in the fact that my grandma deserved to see her home overflowing with her gathered, happy family. The family she built, the family she kept afloat through tough times, through union strikes, through loss, through pregnancies, through new relationships and breakups, through grandsons who sometimes got in trouble and granddaughters who moved away, through the new jobs and the in-betweens, through uncertain futures…
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Fernie and Patsy prayers go out to
The Hernandez family may the peace of our Lord Jesus send comfort to all. Amen...

Sending deepest condolences to the entire family of Ms Esther Hernandez.  From a third generation family friend that started from a genuine  neighbor to neighbor friendship between great families.

Esther was my children's paternal grandmother. A poignant memory I have is that she first met my daughter (her youngest grandchild) on Christmas day - my daughter was 2 and a half weeks old- and the last time, they laid eyes on each other was Christmas day 2024- Truly Special. She will be Missed.

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Jose Hernandez

OBITUARIO

Esther Ruacho Hernandez

6 abril, 1932 – 29 diciembre, 2024

Hillcrest Funeral Home

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