Hauda Hernandez

Hauda Rosa Hernandez (formerly Martinez) was born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba on February 22, 1937. She grew up alongside her beloved parents Rosa Elvira and Jose Tomas Martinez with her siblings Caridad, Idalia, Jose, Juan, Lourdes and Milagros. Hauda met the love of her life and soulmate, Rolando Hernandez Senior, in Santiago De Las Vegas, Cuba. She was living with her Abuela (Rafaela) and pursuing a college education. Both of them were strolling through the town’s main park which was a weekly tradition for young men and women in the town, this is when they caught each other’s eyes. They were married on July 19, 1958, and settled down in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba together where they had their first son, Jose. After Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution, Rolando Senior fled Cuba to the United States in 1960 with thousands of other Cubans to escape the new communist agenda and due to the fear of imprisonment or even violence. Unfortunately, his visa came first, therefore Hauda and their infant son, were forced to live in a Jamaican refugee camp for a short period of time. The three of them were reunited in Miami, Florida in 1961. Hauda's fighting spirit and love for her family is what got them through this trying time. Shortly after (in 1961), they left Miami, Florida due to a lack of job opportunities.

They decided to move to Las Vegas, Nevada at the advice of Rolando Senior’s close friend. He shared that the Stardust Resort and Casino was offering a plethora of job opportunities with little to no experience required. Rolando Senior worked hard to learn a new trade and support his family. They proceeded to grow their family and welcomed to the world their sons Rolando Junior, Carlos and Juan. Hauda became a highly regarded manager also called, 'The Cuban Brain,' at the Les Folies Bergere which was the longest running show in Las Vegas history at the Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Resort. She was their first bilingual employee when she started as a cashier. Also lovingly known as, ‘La Reina De La Cocina,’ the effort Hauda put into her cooking during thousands of meals shared with her family and friends are now treasured memories. Additionally, Hauda and Rolando Senior enjoyed hosting numerous family functions at their home, but nothing compared to their annual Noche Buena celebration every Christmas Eve.

Hauda was a proud Abuela and Grandmother to her nine grandchildren… Christina, Dominic, Julie, Ronnie, Tiana, Mira, Alik, Brandon and Yuli. They were the lights of her life, and she loved nothing more than spoiling and loving them. Hauda consistently illustrated the caring and kind woman she was to so many with her motherly guidance, love and protection that was so easily given to those in need.

Lastly, Hauda enjoyed traveling the world alongside some of her closest loved ones and collected a postcard in each place she visited. She was a proud American who was grateful for every opportunity she earned. Hauda was a devout Catholic who was blessed to share her faith with many.

Hauda was preceded in death by her soulmate Rolando Hernandez Senior, her parents Rosa and Jose Martinez, her sisters, Caridad Cambeiro, Idalia Valdez, Lourdes Martinez Fernandez, Milagros Govin, brothers-in-law Richard (Riche) Hernandez, Roberto Govin, Alberto Medina and sister-in-law, Dora Martinez. Hauda is survived by her brothers Jose Martinez Senior and Juan Martinez Senior (Norma Martinez) and sister-in-law, Elena Medina and sons Jose Hernandez (Camilla Singh), Rolando Hernandez (Adriana Hernandez), Carlos Hernandez (Piper Hernandez), Juan Hernandez (Kara Hernandez) and grandchildren Christina Hernandez Gilbert (Mark and Jacob Gilbert), Dominic Hernandez (Joe, Juston, Layla and Lincoln Hernandez), Julie Vetter (Luke Vetter), Tiana Bernard (James, Luna, Ruby and Ivie Bernard), Ronnie Hernandez, Mira Hernandez, Alik Higginbotham, Brandon Banuelos and Yuli Hernandez.

Hauda’s family will forever cherish the memories they made with her and respect all she went through and did to ensure all of the opportunities they have today. They will love Hauda forever and believe they will be reunited in eternity.

A visitation for Hauda will be held Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Palm Mortuary - Eastern, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123. A funeral service will occur Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123. A committal service will occur Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Palm Eastern Cemetery, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123.