Margarita B. Hernandez

Margarita B. Hernandez passed away at home after a short illness surrounded by her family at the age of 98. Born in Mexico City, July 6, 1927, her family moved to Nuevo Laredo, Tamps, and subsequently to Laredo, Texas at a very young age. It was in Laredo that Margarita met the love of her life, Silvestre, and married him on February 26, 1949, where they loved and cherished each other until his passing on March 15, 1991. Together, they raised nine children, most of whom attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Parochial School and then completed their education in the local public schools. Affectionately called “Mague” by her many friends, neighbors, and extended family, she was a cherished Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Great-Great Grandmother, Sister, Friend, Neighbor and “Comadre”, ever the woman of deep faith, she was a devoted and lifelong member and parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, and remained active in several organizations at the parish until an advanced age. As a true modern woman shaped by both the 20th and 21st centuries, she embraced the sweeping changes of the eras with curiosity, determination, and grace. Though her formal education ended after the fourth grade, she spent her life learning from the world around her. With a natural aptitude for numbers and resourcefulness, she managed household finances and helped her family navigate the practicalities of life.

She broadened her understanding of the world through the schoolbooks of others and through lived experience. Whether journeying across the city, state, country, or continent by bus or plane—and later exploring the world through television, cell phones, and the internet—she pursued knowledge with a voracious and open mind. Even in her late nineties, she delighted in receiving photos and messages on her cellphone and thrived on staying connected.

She and her husband, Silvestre, were proud to become U.S. citizens, having attended classes and passed their examinations together, a crowning moment in their lifelong commitment to building a secure and meaningful life for their growing family. Although Spanish remained her primary language, she worked diligently to understand English, asking for translations and practicing new phrases to better engage with the world around her.

A gifted cook, she learned culinary traditions from her mother and perfected them in her own kitchen, becoming known for her enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and pozole, dishes requested at every gathering. Her green and red homemade salsas became a cherished staple in the family, lovingly stored in recycled glass jars and playfully referred to as “liquid gold.”

Her faith was the bedrock of her identity. A lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, she was an active member of the Guadalupanas, the Altar Society—where she served as lector—and the annual Jamaica planning committee, proudly overseeing her coin toss booth. She volunteered at nursing homes, organized clothing drives for families in need, prepared meals alongside her friends at parish functions, and assisted the nuns with catechism classes.

She traveled proudly on pilgrimages and always returned home with holy water to bless the homes, cars, and adventures of her loved ones. Her devotion was especially pronounced when she joined her parish group in San Antonio in 1987 to attend a Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II, where she captured a treasured photograph of His Holiness as he passed her by.

She had a talent for sewing from an early age, and her home was never without her sewing machine. She sewed and mended uniforms, dresses, shirts, and her curtains, delighting in the seasonal change they brought to the family home. She passed these skills down to her children and grandchildren, teaching them to embroider and mend as a way of caring for oneself and others.

An enterprising spirit, she became a trusted seller of Stanley Home Products, Tupperware, cookware, and jewelry, and her home was often filled with neighbors and family members interested in her latest ventures. She was also an early recycler, repurposing jars and materials long before it was fashionable. A natural caregiver, she served as the family nurse, tending cuts and bruises with gentle hands and a well-stocked first aid kit, always ready to soothe and heal.

Her love of music filled every room. What began with the radio evolved into a cherished record collection of artists like Vicente Fernández, Rocío Dúrcal, and Juan Gabriel, whose songs she played often and attended live shows whenever possible. Whether at Laredo’s “Noche Mexicana” celebrations or concert halls, she embraced her culture and joy with her whole heart.

She traveled often and her favorite destinations included Mexico City, where each visit began with a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She explored theaters, restaurants, and live shows, even meeting beloved performers such as Paquita la del Barrio. She also journeyed by bus with friends or parish groups to Las Vegas and Elko, Nevada, and across Texas, with a memorable trip to the Kickapoo Casino in Eagle Pass. She was always ready and willing and treasured visits to Houston to spend time with family.

In her later years, she discovered a new pastime at the maquinitas, enjoying the fun of learning a new skill set and forming friendships with fellow players. She remained active and engaged well into her 90s, always with her cellphone by her side.

Most of all, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She raised nine children, cared for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and lived long enough to cradle her great-great-granddaughters, a gift she celebrated with pride and joy. Twice in her life, she lived to see five generations of her family together, a rare and profound blessing. Her presence defined our family, and her strength, care, and humor shaped our lives in immeasurable ways.

Her life was a testament to resilience, curiosity, faith, and love. She proved that a rich and meaningful life does not depend on formal credentials, but on one’s readiness to learn, serve, explore, and love without reservation or judgement. She showed us that there is always more to see, do, and understand; and always more love to give.

We will be eternally grateful for her wisdom, her caring hands, and her unparalleled love. Though she has departed from our sight, she remains forever in our stories, in our kitchens and traditions, and in the generations she nurtured.

And so, with this, our final goodbye to our beloved Mom, Wela, Grandma, Tia, “Mague”, we ask her for one last blessing—from above—as we march on, stronger for having known her and forever changed by her love.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Maria Benitez; husband, Silvestre Hernandez; sons, Felipe Benitez, Adolfo Hernandez, Florentino Hernandez; her daughter, Maria de la Luz (Lucy) Hernandez; brothers, Aurelio (Antonia), Leonardo, and Hector Ruiz Benitez; sister Christina B. Vera; mother-in-law, Luz B. Hernandez; sons-in-law: Ricardo Javier Guajardo and Manuel Ramirez, Jr., as well as her daughter-in-law: Araceli Alarcon Hernandez.

Left behind to cherish her memory and carry out her legacy are her sons: Silvestre (Margarita) Hernandez, Jr., and Jorge (Diana) Hernandez; daughters: Maria de Jesus (Susie) Guajardo, Beatriz Margarita (Rodolfo Jr) Velasquez, and Carmen (Dal Wayne) Lorentz; sisters-in-law: Martha Solano and Isabel Ruiz Boullosa; nieces and nephews on the Ruiz family side, and her brother-in-law, Jose Vera, Jr.; 18 grandchildren: Araceli G. (Gregg Jr) Ortiz, Ricardo Javier (Nelly) Guajardo, Jr., Rafael Manuel (Carmen Camacho) Guajardo, Michelle Yvette (Philip) Caldwell, Cynthia Denise (Jesus E. Jaramillo) Ramirez, John Philip Hernandez, Amy Lizette Hernandez (Silvester Meza), Jacob (Leti Pillado) Hernandez, Karina Anel, Alyssa Kristel and Jorge Alejandro Hernandez, Carla, Victoria and Sofia Hernandez, Melissa Alarcon (Steven Santos) and Jessica Ann Banda (Mike Torres). Special nephews: Veronica and Jose (Joey) Vera, III (Patty); 22 great-grandchildren: Gregg III, PhD, David Harley (Emillie) and Ricardo Daniel (Amanda) Ortiz, Dakota Caldwell, Andrew Joseph Rigal, Ricardo Javier III and Benicio Gael Guajardo, Rafael M. Guajardo, Jr., Alize, Alexis and Jordan Meza, Izaiah, Xzavier and Isabella Hernandez, Natalee Nicole Vazquez, Aubrey Marie Luciano and Ivory Cruz Hernandez, Anthony Jeremiah Hernandez, Marcus and Jacob Mathew Torres, Special Grandnephew/Grandniece Joe "Joey" Vera, IV and Julie Vera and her 2 adored great-great-granddaughters, Penelope Jean and Cecilia Sue Ortiz, as well as a great number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many countless friends she met throughout her many fruitful and blessed years.

A special thank you for their everlasting compassion, love and excellent care of our mother goes to Dr. Alex Blanco, Dr. David Catano, Redeemer Hospice staff and Edgar Jimenez, Ops Coordinator, Jacqueline Vasquez, LMSW, Martin Gallegos, RN, Walter Salinas RN, Jessica Moreno RN, Karla Flores RN, Maria Luisa Pulido CNA, Rosa Briseño CNA, Jessica Guerra Chaplain, Border DME, Genaro J. Garcia and Jerry Garcia of Texas Medic Transportation LLC, Laredo Rehabilitation Hospital Nursing Staff, Dr. Nelson Garay and Dr. Nan, Modesta and Alex and lastly, Tony Martinez Pharmacy Staff. 

The celebration of the holy sacrifice of the Mass will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, beginning at 9 o'clock in the morning. We kindly ask those attending the service to please meet at the church between 8:30 am and 8:50 am, as there will be no procession from the funeral home.

Visitation with the Hernandez family will follow the mass at Hillside Funerals & Cremations, from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. A Rosary will be offered for the repose of her soul at 12:15 pm.

Pallbearers will be: Ricardo Javier Guajardo, Jr., Rafael Manuel Guajardo, Jorge Alejandro Hernandez, Anthony Jeremiah Hernandez, Jacob Hernandez, John Philip Hernandez, Joe "Joey" Vera, III, and Andrew Joseph Rigal. Honorary pallbearers will be: Silvestre Hernandez, Jr., Jorge Hernandez, Gregg Ortiz, III, PhD; David H. Ortiz, Ricardo Javier Guajardo, III, Benicio Gael Guajardo, Rafael Manuel Guajardo, Jr., Jordan Meza, Izaiah Hernandez, Xzavier Hernandez, Rodolfo Velazquez, Jr., Dal Wayne Lorentz, Gregg Ortiz,  Jr., Alfonso Hernandez, Jr., Philip Caldwell, Jesus Eduardo Jaramillo, Marcus Torres, and Jacob Mathew Torres.

All services will conclude at the end of the visitation. A cremation will follow at a later date.

A private family graveside will be held, where she will be laid to rest in the family plot at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Hillside Funerals & Cremations has been entrusted to care for and direct the funeral of Margarita Hernandez. For information on service, you can reach us at 310 W. Hillside Rd.; Laredo, TX 78041; 956.724.6060 www.hillsidefuneral.com