Caroline (Cindy) Ricci

Caroline Ricci, better known as Cindy Hernandez, was born and raised in Austin, Texas to parents, Lily Lopez and Pascual Hernandez. She attended Southwest Texas University in her early twenties and graduated from St Edward's University in 2009 with a degree in education and a ParaEducator Certificate.

She worked at Brackenridge Hospital in the Neonatal unit for three years and the Internal Revenue for fifteen years. In 1990, she moved to San Antonio to become an entrepreneur. She had a knack for finding and turning quick ventures. She and two of her children, Sam and Rory, took over and successfully ran an independent postal center for several years, along with special contracts and negotiations.

She began losing her eyesight and hearing in 1994 due to diabetes. On her birthday in 1998, she had her first of several surgeries to begin dialysis. Soon after, she moved back home to Austin to attend Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, Texas School for the Blind. She never stopped looking for ways to better her circumstances, and as a mother, she never stopped working to support her family. Even after enduring dialysis for several years, she managed to return to school to obtain a degree while sitting for 4 hours every other day in a dialysis chair.

She gained control of her health for many years until 2009 when she suffered the first of two strokes. She recovered quickly both times and continued to pursue her goals. While on dialysis, she taught at Jarrell Elementary school in Jarrell, Texas, where she had her home built. She also loved to teach bible school at Grace Church, nearby. She loved riding her moped and had several sports cars throughout the years.

Before her passing, she lost her ability to walk. Being confined to a chair was very hard for her. She was an extremely independent woman. She never stopped moving. She was adamant about going to physical therapy and eating healthy. Any person would have given up after so many medical issues, but she was a strong woman, well known for her resilience, ambition and determination.

She was a very beautiful woman with an adventurous spirit and spunky personality who always spoke her mind. She loved art, the symphony, food, fashion, and she loved to dance, and sing. She sang all the time; Her favorite genre was Country music. She loved being in nature, flowers, and bright colors. In her younger years, she loved to ride her bike and was often found hiking through Pease Park and other local areas with her daughter Nicki (Lillie).

She was spontaneous and adventurous, always encouraging her children to try new things. She loved to travel, her favorite place was the beach, and she took her children there often. Her favorite destination was Hawaii.

She was a hopeless romantic and loved sappy movies with a box of buttered popcorn. She loved to read. She read to her children many times, one of her favorite books was The Boxcar Children.

She read the bible and studied with her sister Sandra by phone long distance on most nights for many years. Many times, she held religious events at her home and always had a plate and an open seat for anyone who stopped by. She often talked about dancing with her brothers and loved outings with her grandchildren. She absolutely adored them.

She had a strong business ethic and was known for fearlessness. She pushed her children to follow their dreams, she absolutely demanded it. If one needed a soldier, she was always there to fight the good fight and advocate.

She spent her last days singing, going to the movies, and trying new restaurants along the lake with her children and younger sister, Sharon. She was loved very much and will be missed greatly by her family, and friends.

She was on dialysis for 26 years, and many doctors were astonished by her strength. She was unstoppable with several terminal diagnoses, surpassing each one by miles. She no doubt rejoiced with our lord as she walked into his grace on Wednesday, March 27th.

Cindy was preceded in death by her parents, Lily and Pascual Hernandez, and brother Edward Hernandez.

She is survived by her brothers; Pascual Hernandez, and family, Adolph Hernandez, and family, and Fred Hernandez, sisters; Alexsandra Hernandez Briones, and family, Roxanne Hernandez Krebs, and Family, and Sharon Hernandez Garza and family. Daughters, Nicole Ricci (Sam), Lillie Almanza (Nicki), son, Vincent Carter Ricci (Rory) and wife Jollene Murray Carter and grandchildren; Violet, Cullen, Gemma, Aurora and Aster and the many people whose lives she’s touched.

Mom, you will be missed. We love you so much.

A special thank you to Steve Hernandez, Sharon and Tony Garza for all the love and support through the last three years.