Dolores Chavez Hernandez

June 14, 1939 – September 11, 2023

Dolores Chavez Hernandez’ life of 84 years was filled with a love for family and friends, a job she excelled at until retirement, travel adventures, and a continued study of various subjects of interest. She died peacefully in San Jose, CA on September 11, 2023. Throughout her life, Dolores bravely met many challenges and made a valiant effort to show strength and resilience.

Dolores was born in Coolidge, AZ on June 14, 1939 to parents Dolores Valenzuela Chavez and Esteban Chavez. In her senior year of high school, she was hospitalized due to thyroid disease, which held her back in her studies. Through sheer determination, she graduated with her classmates from Coolidge High School in 1960. She met her husband in the mid 60’s, had children, then the family moved to CA in the early 70’s to pursue better job opportunities. Together, they explored the new and exciting landscapes CA had to offer by frequent road trips and occasionally traveled back to AZ to visit family. Much later in life, Dolores attended college and earned an A.A. in Business from San Jose City College in 1985, and briefly attended San Jose State University for as long as her health allowed.

Throughout her life, Dolores worked in the banking industry. She enjoyed her work, cherished the friends and connections she made, and kept in contact or did business with several of them throughout the years. Dolores was diligent and honest in her work. She earned numerous Awards of Performance Excellence for which she was very proud. Having worked in the industry for over 45 years, retirement was difficult, but she reluctantly stopped working in 2008 when her health was, “…getting in the way of giving my 110%.”

During retirement and until her passing, Dolores was an avid reader and read books on many subjects, from herbal healing and holistic health and wellness to math and investing. She studied these books and took copious notes. She had a limber mind until the very end and was able to keep track of budgets and other important things. She also enjoyed watching cowboy movie reruns, took comfort in religious sermons on TV, and had a knack for keeping orchids alive.

In addition to being a numbers whiz, Dolores spoke three languages – Yaqui, Spanish and English. Her mother and father taught her Yaqui and Spanish, respectively. When she went to school, she learned English as well. Many of her jobs had the benefit of calling on Dolores as their go-to Spanish interpreter. After retirement, she enjoyed tutoring English as a second language at the local library, and very recently started studying Yaqui language through Zoom. Through these sessions, she also learned about a culture lost due to oppression and removal. Dolores was a proud Yoeme and member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Tucson, AZ.

Dolores’ husband was Evaristo Alvarado Hernandez, who is now deceased. Dolores was a woman of commitment, did not like the fact they had been divorced, but she accepted it, and moved on the best she could. She never re-married. She always said that her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the best thing that came out of her marriage and she would not have had it any other way!

Her son Albert Hernandez and her first-born daughter who was stillborn predeceased Dolores. She is survived by her 2 children, daughter Patricia Constance Hernandez-Lakatos, and son Steven Evaristo Hernandez, both of San Jose, CA, 9 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, sister Angelita Chavez of San Jose, CA, sister Juanita Camacho of Coolidge, AZ, brother Alberto Chavez of Casa Grande, AZ, and sister Rosa Chavez of Coolidge, AZ. Several sisters and brothers predeceased Dolores: Hilario Chavez, Alejandra Alvarez, Efigenia Maldonado, Sebastian Esteban Chavez, Maria Chavez, Rodolfo Chavez, and Benita Molina.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 14th at Oak Hill Cemetery in the Chapel of Roses at 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. Christian and Indigenous spirituality will both be represented and honored. Visitation is 9:00-11:00am; immediately followed by a Catholic service 11:00am-12:00pm. A reception to share your stories and memories of Dolores will follow.

Please join us in honoring maala (Yaqui for mother, matriarch or to refer to a female with the utmost respect), our mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother, Dolores Chavez Hernandez. If possible, please wear floral clothing or accessories. Flowers represent the Sewa Ania or Flower World where nature and spirits reside.

Lastly, flowers or food are welcomed at the memorial service; or, donations can be made in Dolores’ memory to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Charitable Organization, Education (https://yaquicharity.org/education/). Your presence and/or anything you wish to share are both welcome and appreciated.