Ruthie Hernández, lovingly referred to as “Cookie,” intimately known as “Mom” by her four children and “Baby” by her partner, passed away at Pomona Valley Hospital the morning of April 6, 2020 at the age of 52.
She is predeceased by her mother, Maria Socorro Chavez Hernández, father, Gamaliel Loera Hernández, and youngest brother Benjamin (Ben) Chavez Hernández.
She is survived by her siblings Damaris Sarmiento, Gamaliel “Jay” Hernandez and Abigail Tabitha Hernández-Blanton; children Adrienne Selina Silva, Joni Mariah “RubyWoo” Silva, Joseph “Seph” Jonathan-David Silva-Hernandez, Zachary John Silva; grandson Ronan David Kuartz; and partner Hector Javier Hernandez.
Ruthie is remembered by in-laws Magdiel Sarmiento, Lisa Hernandez, Mrs. Benjamin Hernandez (Gina), and Jeffery Blanton; nephews and nieces Hiram Sarmiento, Juliana Sarmiento, Jacqueline Sarmiento, Sonora, Daniella, Jason, Kasandra, Regina, Viviana, Isabella, Sophia Socorro and Benjamin “Josiah” Gonzales Hernandez, Madeline and Caleb James; and by many friends, whom she warmly adopted as family and met through music, church, work and simply being her loving, vivacious self.
She was born in Los Angeles, California on November 12, 1967. Graduated from Los Altos High School in 1985, earned her BA in business at Azusa Pacific University, majored in cosmetology at Citrus College and obtained her Cosmetology Licence from California State Board. After leaving the cosmetology business as a salon manager, she worked administratively for renowned companies such as Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Hot Topic, then found what she referred to as her “work family” at Guess Inc. in 2012. There she flourished in the legal department as Senior Legal Assistant.
Ruthie enjoyed people and loved connecting with others. One of her favorite ways to connect was through music. She sang amazingly: from the heart and always encouraged others to go to the distance with their own music. Cookie was the cherished lead singer of her band, Maximum Fire. From childhood onward, she was leading worship and brightening stages everywhere she sang.
Cookie loved serving and communing with others through food. It was one of her languages of love; family and friends could taste thoughtful affection with every bite. Ruthie hosted many holiday parties for her extended and immediate family, carefully planning each menu in accordance to each person’s tastes and dietary preferences. She loved each family member wholeheartedly and individually.
Ruthie was quite well-known for her love of fashion and beauty. From a very young age, Cookie set herself apart with her wardrobe and style. Pushing the envelope with her ever changing hairstyles: loved playing with color, cuts, extensions, wigs. She had a flair for makeup, her second daughter called Cookie “mascara queen,” known for her smoky eye shadows, cat eye eyeliner. She made sure to wear a pop of color on the eyes or bold lip, making a statement. She was always ahead of the masses, on top of the most current fashion trends and executed them to perfection. Ruthie instilled in her children this exact appreciation for aesthetic as well as how it could communicate to others without words. She understood the beautiful gift and freedom of self expression.
Above all of Ruthie’s interests, was her kids. She volunteered in the cafeteria serving lunches, in the classroom as an aid, t-ball snack booth vendor, band and choir boosters when her kids were young. Cookie later attended as many of their concerts and gatherings possible once they were older. She instilled in her children a love of music, culinary arts, beauty, people and life. Ruthie was always ready with open arms to meet any of her children’s friends or partners saying that, if her kids chose them, they were already family. Always going the extra mile to make others feel comfortable around her, she was a true lady.
An angel in disguise, a best friend, a teacher, a healer, your biggest fan, the LIFE OF THE PARTY, the proudest voice, a counselor, a beneficiary, a mentor, a shoulder to cry on, a warm hug, a pure soul, a kind heart, a scientist, a scholar, a lawyer, Cookieluvs2sing, rhernan4, a judge, a bailor, a humble scapegoat, mysterious aura, a brilliant mind, a true talent, a diamond in the roughest rough, an “open book” but truly an enigma to most; she was laughter, she was radiance, she was joy; exuberance, effervescence, indescribable; popstar, idol, diva, queen, mi reina; gorgeous, mama-lah, mamacita, mommy
Our beautiful mommy, our sleeping beauty, takes her final rest.
This woman, like many of us, believed in love, and did nothing but love people, even in their darkest hour, always loved everyone. Look inward, always be the better person, not the bigger person.
Cookie-isms #1
“There’s two sides to every story”
Love, endlessly, love, sensitively, love, cheesily.
She was far too silent for far too long, but she overcame so many odds and successfully survived being a single mother of four. She did deserve so much better than what cards she was dealt. Yet, she never stopped loving everyone until the very end, through all the paiin, she was a loving soul.
That love is alive and well, we love you, we sing for you now, thank you, Cookie.
“Think of me every day, hold tight to what I say, and I’ll be close to you even from far away; no matt-wherever you are, it is never too far, if you think of me I’ll be with you”
