Petra Hernandez

Petra Hernandez, also lovingly well known, and referred to as "Tita", was a wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother who passed away on Friday February 8 after a long battle with a terminal illness. She was preceded in death by her fourth child Lourdes Sanchez. She is survived by her husband Vicente Hernandez of 63 years and her children Rodolfo, Juana, Rosa, Margaret, Vince, Martin, Maria, Lupe along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was born January 10, 1934 in Apaseo El Alto, Mexico. At the age of 14, she was swept off her feet by the love of her life and charmed away from her family home; with her father at her heels she was convinced to return home that same night and was made to wait until a more traditional age of 15 to marry. She was blessed with her firstborn at the age of 18. She moved to the U.S. in 1963 with her first 4 children and her family of 9 was complete by the time she turned 35.
At any family gatherings one could count on the fact that if there was a baby nearby, it would find its way onto Tita's lap. She cared for, loved, and treasured all of the family's children and became an extended mother to all her grandchildren and great grandkids. Her motherly instincts also extended to her great love of yellow sparrows, which was an inherited trait from her Mama Luz.
She had a passion for gardening and cooking, such that she was often gifted flowering plants that would inevitably find their way into her garden and anyone visiting her home would always feel welcome by the aromas of her home cooked meals.
Tita was described by her children and grandchildren as warm, caring, non-selfish and unconditional in her love for everyone. She was a nurturing mother who gave life and was a teacher to many. She taught love, forgiveness, compassion and passed on her non-judgmental attribute; a friend in times of need and celebration. Many saw her as a quiet petite woman, yet her strong willed personality and loving presence will ever be instilled in each and every member of her family.
Services will be held at Ave Maria Memorial Chapel on Thursday February 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 followed by the rosary at 7:00 p.m. There will be a mass held on Friday February 15 at 11:00 am at Assumption Church in Pajaro with the burial to follow at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park with a reception thereafter.