Mrs. Andrea Picazo Hernandez

After battling many illnesses over the past eight years, Andrea Picazo Hernandez peacefully passed away with her family by her side at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and entered the gates of Heaven on September 10, 2013. She was 78 years young. She was born in Brownsville, Texas on November 17, 1934, the first child of Victoria and Erineo Picazo. Andrea met and married Francisco Gil Reyna in Brownsville, Texas in 1953 and together had four children eventually settling in Clovis, California. At the age of 25, Francisco passed away leaving Andrea to provide and care for her four children. In 1961, Andrea met her future husband, Gustavo, at a family wedding. She was indifferent at first but Gustavo persisted in winning her over and finally claimed his prize and they married in 1963. Gustavo and Andrea expanded their family with two more children and one grandchild they unselfishly cared for. This year in May, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an elegant celebration at Copper River Country Club in the presence of their family and special friends. It was clearly an anointed celebration. Missionary and speed painter Rick Alonzo painted the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the anniversary couple's portrait, and of course Michael Jackson and Elvis. The couple was also serenaded by a mariachi band. For over 30 years Andrea worked for Takahashi Farms and was a manager at the fruit stand market once located at Herndon and Sunnyside Avenues, where she loved chatting it up with customers. She loved to laugh and was very quick witted, often delighting the recipients of her conversation. Andrea was also a homemaker, a responsibility she took very seriously. She kept an immaculate home and loved to cook. She made the best Mexican food and often prepared it for her children's teachers, which we are certain tipped the scales for a better grade. Every Christmas Eve she made tamales for the family even when she did not feel well. Throughout their marriage, Andrea and Gustavo persevered in their commitment to one another. During the most difficult years of Andrea's illness, Gustavo was a constant;serving her, supporting her, and loving her deeply. His last words to his bride were "Adios Amiga (goodbye friend), I love you my honeydew". Andrea is preceded in death by her husband, Francisco Gil Reyna, and her children, Francisco Jr., Maria, and Jose Reyna; her parents Victoria and Erineo Picazo. Andrea is survived by her husband, Gustavo Hernandez; daughter, Soyla Reyna Griffin and her husband Robert Griffin; son Gustavo Hernandez, Jr. and his wife Nora, and daughter Sara Hernandez, grandchildren Ruthie Reyna, Francisco and Michael Hill, Joe Jr. and Stella Reyna; Dr. Nichole Flores and Rory Griffin, Dominic and Monique Hernandez, and Victoria and Tayler Jenkins, and ten great grandchildren. The family expresses gratitude to Dr. Alfred Valles of the Heart Group Cardiovascular Associates and Dr. William Suh and staff of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for extending Andrea's life for two months which allowed her to fully enjoy the remainder of her life without the support of a wheelchair or oxygen. She was very happy and took advantage of her new found independence and we will cherish this gift forever. We also express gratitude to Davita and Dr. Sami Issa, Dr. Joseph Duflot, Dr. Roy Kroeker, Dr. William Jawien and all their staff, and the home health nurses of Saint Agnes Medical Center. Your bedside manner was truly humbling and Andrea was very blessed to have you providing her quality care during the last eight years. Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Monday, September 16, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Andrea's life will be held at New Hope Community Church, 4620 E Nees Ave.,Clovis Ca., on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, at 10:00 a.m.