Lilliam R. Hernandez

It is with profound sadness that we bid farewell to Lilliam Hernandez, who passed away on January 27, 2025. She was an amazing daughter and dear friend who fulfilled her life and love that took her to different destinations.

Esther and Armando welcomed their only daughter in Havana, Cuba on April 15, 1944.

Since her youth, Lily was inspired to follow her spiritual growth and pursuits of learning with the Ursulines of Havana. She continued to cherish many friendships made during that early time of her life.

As her childhood flourished, her future suffered the first dramatic milestone with the growing threat of communism in Cuba. The tragic upheaval in the nation disheveled their lives. In an effort to shield her from the unraveling events of her homeland, Lily’s parents sent her to the United States.

The impact of her separation from everything she loved was deep and defining but Lily continued to flourish and build her powerful sense of purpose and dignity in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Once able to embrace her dear family and friends again, she came to Florida to continue her professional aspirations. After completing her course work and her Doctorate at the University of Florida, she settled in Miami to devote her life to her family’s care and to begin her recognized career at Miami Senior High’s Foreign Language Dept.

She found joy in encouraging her students to continue their education. So often they would return to visit their Alma Mater to share their progress. She always greeted them with a welcoming smile. Lily was a positive role model to her students and colleagues alike. Words cannot do justice to her generous spirit. She unselfishly devoted herself to her parents, friends, church, and profession. Lily will be fondly remembered by all who knew her.

Our hearts are broken, but we take comfort in knowing that she is now whole in the embrace of her parents and her lord that shielded her and inspired her throughout her life, her happiness, the fulfillment of her life’s purpose. To quote the French writer Camus who inspired her dissertation “What is Happiness except the simple Harmony of a man and the life he leads.”

"May the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon her and give her peace."