My condolences to Mark, Becky, Erik, Pedro and Carmen and extended family for your loss.  I was sadden to hear of Ruthie’s passing.   Ruthie and I met in the early 80's when we began working as court administrators for district judges in Brownsville.  We immediately became friends and throughout the years became very close friends.  After Ruthie’s retirement, we stayed in touch.  She would call me in the evening, once her grandchildren had gone to bed, and we talked for hours about anything and everything and had to hang up only because our cell phone battery would run low.   We laughed and reminisced about our trips to Austin and San Antonio to attend annual conferences.  Ruthie loved to tell stories, especially about her friend who played the guitar who sang rancheras ...she knew how to have a good time and had a quick wit.   She visited my parents home in Raymondville many times and was considered part of the family.  My Dad called her the “chilera” – she would pick the chili pikin plant that my Dad had outside the kitchen door.  Anyone that knew Ruthie knew she loved to eat chili with her meals.  It got to the point where she would carry her chili peppers in a zip lock bag, just in case!  She left behind several friends in the Brownsville area.  Karen Pena, Elaine Flores, my sisters and I will miss her dearly.  I will always cherish the fond memories of a true and dear friend.  



Dear Mark , Becky, Erik, grandsons, and family,

I am so sorry to hear of Nena’s passing. I remember you Mark and Becky as young as 2 or 3 when you visited Grandma Lupe and Grandpa Joe in Austin. 

Memories of Ruth go back a long time. I have known Ruth all my life and as long as a can remember we always knew her as Nena. I loved her good humor, intelligence, and good nature. 

Ruth’s family was part of my father’s church. Back then Mexican Presbyterians gathered in conventions in different towns throughout the year and for those who may not know, Ruth’s family founded the first  Presbyterian church in New Braunfels. 

I remember one time my husband John and I  were visiting Pete and Nena in San Diego and we took a day trip to Tijuana. We were young and very naive. Pete and Ruth were 20 years old and John and I were 24 and 25. 

Shortly after arriving in Tijuana, Pete and John were approached by seedy men who offered us a place for the night. John and Pete immediately corrected the hucksters, and told them we were their wives and not ladies of the night. Then they quickly made another indecent proposal.

That evening Pete and John took us to a boxing match. We were surprised to find that there were no women present.  I believe the crowd of men assumed we were prostitutes. Needless to say John and Pete kept us close to them. We left after the first boxing match. That was an interesting experience because we were so naive and this was our first exposure to a different culture. 

As you may know, John my husband died of a long battle with cancer. So I am aware that when a loved one is suffering. Their passing can be a relief.  Again so sorry to hear this news. God be with you. You are continually in my prayers.

Love,
Esther

Our sincere condolences on your mom’s passing .  We were heart broken to see her obit in today’s paper .  We had been trying for years to contact her .. we were in your area at least once a year for the past couple of years for judicial conferences .  

Your mom was a lovely person ..we enjoyed many laughs .  We also enjoyed many gatherings that included your dad .  Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family . 

Ruth's Family,
We are so sad to hear about the loss of our dear cousin,  your mother and your sister.   Ruth was a very special lady with a beautiful heart and will be dearly missed.  We are so sorry that we will not be at the funeral but our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.
May Ruth rest in peace.

God blessings,
Juanita and Claudio (Clyde) Alvarez
Atlanta, Georgia

to the Hernandez family I am so sorry for your lose . may God give you all the strength to carry on . I remember when I was a small child and stayed with my grandmother we lived across the street from Pete and Ruth . I use to care for the German Shepard's they use to have . I would feed them and water them and clean there pin I remember being afraid of the dogs but Pete reassured me that it was safe ,and it was . it had been a long time sense then but I never forgot the experience or Pete and Ruth . I also remember Marco as a small boy and the rest of the family next door to them . may god Bless them both as they are in Gods arms . God bless you all and know that Ruth and Pete were the best. MR and MRS Jaime G. Aguilar, Sr , New Braunfels,TX

Ruth was very excited to be able to make it to our wedding.  She looked beautiful and so happy. It was great seeing her smile and spending time with her.   Marco & Rebecca & Pedro our deepest condolences for the loss of mother & sister. 

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She is survived by her son, Marco A. Grimaldo of Washington, D.C., her daughter Rebecca G. Schmude and son-in-law Erik M. Schmude and three grandsons, Michael, Alex and Matthew Schmude.  She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Pedro and Carmen Hernandez, her nephews and nieces Pedro F. Hernandez, Jr., Meiling Prados Hernandez, Omar Adrian Hernandez, Heather Hernandez Rosen, and Maria Stull. Also, by many great nieces and nephews and loved ones that are too numerous to list. She is preceded in death by her husband, Pedro Grimaldo and her brother Hernando H. Hernandez.

OBITUARY

Ruth Hernandez Grimaldo

May 7, 1940 – August 8, 2019

Zoeller Funeral Home

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