Hortensia Hernandez

Hortensia “Tencha” Hernandez, age 94 of Mabton, passed peacefully into her Lord and Savior’s loving arms on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick.  She was born March 13, 1924 in Eagle Pass, Texas to Rumaldo and Julia (Menchaca) Guerrero. 

Mom moved to Washington in 1941 along with her mother, brother, Carlos and sister, Carmen to work in the hops. It was there that she met and married our dad Jesse Hernandez on May 15, 1943. They lived, worked and started their family at the Yakima Chief Hop Ranch. Then in 1957, they bought their home and started their own hop ranch outside of Mabton. We lost Dad far too early when he died unexpectedly August 15, 1970, leaving Mom to finish raising the family and run the hop ranch, along with her older sons. Mom worked for the Washington State Migrant Daycare as a cook from 1976 to 1997 when she decided to retire. She was a loving, patient and kind-hearted mother who taught us the importance of having the Lord in our lives, to be devoted to our family and to have a strong work ethic. She always took time for us no matter what. She loved joking around with us and laughing. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and living life to its fullest. We will miss her dearly. She truly was THE BEST MOM!

Hortensia  is survived by her sons, Richard of Moses Lake, Gilbert of Mabton, Charlie of Sunnyside, Fred (Gigi) of Montesano, WA and Jesse Jr. (Maria) of Sunnyside; Her daughters, Rachel Ott (Ken) of Grandview, Christina Moreno (Tomas) of Richland and Gracie (Maria) Bice (Del) of Pasco; numerous grandkids, great grandkids, great great grandkids, nieces, nephews and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jesse, siblings Jesse Guerrero, Armando Guerrero, Carlos Guerrero and Carmen Martinez, her first child (Jesse John) in 1944, her son Eddie, daughter Norma, granddaughters Victoria Diaz and Angela Walker and grandson in law Kyle Walker.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, March 1, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grandview, WA. Burial will follow at the Mabton Cemetery in Mabton, WA. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Hortensia’s memory may contribute to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House, 2108 W. Entiat Avenue, Kennewick, WA. Those wishing to sign her online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com.  

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