Marcelina Hernandez

Marcelina was born to Rosalio Hernandez and Florencia Salazar, October 7, 1926, in Houston, Texas. She was raised in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and worked with her family on cotton fields and ranches. Married twice, she was a devoted mother and raised her children as a single parent. She had strong Catholic roots and made it a point to raise her children in the Catholic religion to complete their rites of passage with the Church. Her upbringing in a rich, deeply rooted Mexican culture was evident in her lifestyle, where she instilled in her family a sense of ethics in religion and cultural traditions, as well as good family values. While raising her children, she was actively involved in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church community activities and celebrated Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe every year by attending early morning services. She also practiced and celebrated La Posada during Christmas time. She even took a pilgrimage to San Antonio to see Pope John Paul II in 1987. Another tradition she carried with our family was her tamale-making during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. She also made sure to attend Mexico’s Dia de la Independencia fiesta in Nuevo Laredo as often as possible.

Marcelina worked as a Laundress for the Rice Hotel for many years. Thereafter, she worked in Office Custodial Management for the Galleria. In later years, during her retirement, she enjoyed sewing and quilt-making by hand and gifting these blankets to family members, especially for newborns in her family. She liked gardening as well, and had a very lush, fertile, flower-filled garden at her home, a skill inherited from her own mother. She enjoyed watching old black & white Mexican and Hollywood movies, as well as telling stories of her youth growing up on a ranch in Mexico. Additionally, she looked forward to all the holidays and celebrations, which she enjoyed cooking chicken mole comidas for her big family and always looked forward to her own grand, festive birthday parties.

She had a big heart and was constantly caring for loved ones at new births and through illnesses and recoveries, where she brought love, prayer, and comfort to us all. She also helped to raise several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Marcelina was a fine, elegant, and dignified lady who deeply touched all our hearts.

Marcelina is survived by her children: Mary, Raul II, Carmen, Domingo Jr., Yolanda, Marcella, and Phillip Jr. She also leaves behind 21 Grandchildren, 43 Great Grandchildren, and 15 Great-Great Grandchildren to cherish her memory.

She was preceded in death by her twin daughters Martha Hilda and Martha Gilda; son Raymond Guerrero; parents Rosalio Hernandez and Florencia Salazar; sisters Candelaria, Santos, Emilia, and Lucia; and brothers Victor and David.

A public visitation for Marcelina will be held Monday, June 12, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A rosary will occur Monday, June 12, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A funeral mass service will occur Tuesday, June 13, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 2405 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003. A committal will occur Tuesday, June 13, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. Deacon Vincent Torres will officiate the Rosary ceremony. Father Fabio Dos Santos, SCJ will officiate the Mass ceremony. A reception will follow at East End Event Center, 7400 Dahlia St, Houston, TX 77012. The family would also like to thank all who extend their condolences, prayers, and support.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Hernandez family.