Maria Del Refugio "Cookie" Hernandez

Long time resident of Azusa, Maria del Refugio Hernandez, age 92, passed away peacefully in her home the early morning of Friday, January 26, 2024.   Maria, lovingly known as “Cookie” by many of her family and friends, was born in El Paso, Texas but lived in Azusa for the last 60 years.  She is a graduate of Bowie High School in El Paso.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.   The matriarch of our loving and large family.  Her example of love was profound to her entire family, including her nieces, nephews and friends.  An excellent homemaker, she loved to sew and cook, an art her children learned from her.  Her indulgence in this life was playing Bingo.  May she now forever yell “BINGO” in the presence of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

Maria is survived by six loving children, Katherine Hernandez, Josephine Diaz (Antonio), Dora Guardado (John), Emily Hernandez, Francisco Hernandez Jr. (Consuelo) and Natalie Silva (Jose).  Her loving memory will be cherished by her 12 grandchildren; Jessica, Rebecca, Anthony Jr., Adam, Daniel, Alexandra, Victoria, Phillip, Stephen, Theresa, Pablo and Samantha; and her 15 great grandchildren; Raymond III, Audrey, Alexa, Christopher, Nathaniel, Javier Jr., Jakob, Alessandro, Olivia, Frankee, David Jr., Jaxson, Zachary, Esme and Matthew.  She is also survived by her two brothers Pablo Rivera Jr. of El Paso, Texas and Alberto (Beto) Rivera from Durango, Colorado.   She will also be remembered lovingly by numerous nieces, nephews and goddchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Francsico Hernandez to whom she was married to for 64 years, her daughter, Barbara Hernandez and her granddaughter, Sandra Martinez, her parents Pablo M. and Maria del Refugio Rivera, two of her brothers, Ricardo (Calo) M. Rivera and Ignacio (Nacho) Rivera and her two sisters, Margarita Rivera Campos and Isabel Rivera Hernandez.
The rosary/vigil will be held on Wednesday, February 21st at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Azusa, CA.  A Catholic mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 22nd also at St. France of Rome Church.  Interment to follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Rosemead, CA.
Our sincere gratitude to Ruth Amparan and the entire staff at White’s Funeral Home for being such a comfort during this difficult time.

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