Marye Guadalupe Hernandez, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, was called to rest on Saturday, June 29th, surrounded by her children and husband. She joins her precious daughter, JoAnne, as well as her parents, brothers, sisters, and countless loved ones, in Heaven.
Marye was born on January 6th, 1942 in Taylor, Texas. She left her small town of Granger, TX after high school graduation and enlisted in the Air Force in 1961. Marye worked and lived in Washington, DC for several years before returning to Central Texas, where she met the love of her life and settled down to raise a family in Austin. Together with her husband Leonard, Marye created a beautiful, loving family to include 6 children, 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She loved her family fiercely and always enjoyed hosting family and friends at her home, especially on the holidays.
Throughout her life, Marye was a relentless advocate and protector of those without a voice. She worked tirelessly in her community to help provide families in need with basic necessities. She protested and petitioned the city council to pave roads, improve public housing, and add playgrounds in East Austin. She was relentless in her efforts to convince the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to create opportunities for non-traditional education programs, which eventually led to the creation of the Communities in Schools program. She joked that the Austin Independent School District eventually offered her a job to coordinate their migrant program, likely to “redirect” her energy and efforts. Marye was proud to have retired from AISD after 36 years in May of 2011. She loved her work family deeply and remained in close contact with many folks till the day she passed.
Make no mistake, Marye’s commitment to helping others wasn’t just a public persona, it was how she lived every aspect of her life. She and Leonard always kept their home open to those who were in need of a place to stay, home cooked meals and a little love. They eventually became an official foster home, when Marye learned that there was a shortage of foster care options for children of color. She and Leonard cared for dozens of displaced children over the years, adopting one very special little boy in 1984. Inspired by this adoption, their daughter and son-in-law later adopted the last two children fostered by Leonard and Marye.
Barely over five feet tall, Marye was a force to be reckoned with, larger than life and often intimidating as hell. She was a woman of action, and she spent her life doing the most good that she could - for everyone she encountered. Most importantly, she was a loving mother who encouraged and nurtured her children and grandchildren to be the best version of themselves. She was the heart of her family and every day of her life, she showed those around her what unconditional love looked like. There are no words to describe how greatly she will be missed.
Marye is survived by her husband of 58 years, Leonard G. Hernandez, daughters Carole Dossing and husband Mike of Pflugerville, Ann Steur and husband David of Round Rock, Marisol Ragap and husband Scott of Austin and sons Leonard J. Hernandez of Hutto and Christopher D. Hernandez of Pflugerville. She is also survived by grandchildren: Shane Acosta and wife Britney of Hutto, Dylan Acosta and wife Jessica of Liberty Hill, Joseph Dossing of Pflugerville, Desiree Randle and husband Devin of Killeen, Maya Dossing of Pflugerville, Madison Ragap of Austin, Noah Ragap of Austin, Adam Hernandez of Hutto, Alora Hernandez of Pflugerville, Jake Dossing of Pflugerville, Alyssa Hernandez of Pflugerville, Ava Hernandez of Pflugerville and Ayden “The Precious” Hernandez of Hutto. Marye was also blessed with 3 great-grandchildren: Slade Acosta, Gunnar Acosta and Mia Dossing
A rosary for Marye will be held Friday, July 26, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628. A memorial service, also at the Cook Walden Davis Funeral Home, will immediately follow the rosary. At 1pm, interment with military honors is planned at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 TX-195, Killeen, Texas.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.2