Margarita Caridad Hernandez

Margarita "Maggie" Hernandez was a caring granddaughter, daughter, mother, sister, cousin, niece, teacher, and friend. She left this world after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease on October 1, 2020.

Maggie was born to Pedro and Olga Hernandez on November 26, 1951, in Guanabacoa, Cuba. She emigrated to the US with her family as a political refugee in the late sixties. The family's journey would take her from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Queens, New York and finally Los Angeles, California. Maggie faced the challenges of adapting a new language and way of life. She dedicated herself to a long road of study and hard work. After graduating early from high school, Maggie chased her dream of becoming a teacher. She continued her studies at Los Angeles Valley College, California State University Northridge, and Pepperdine University where she earned her Bachelor's degree and Masters' degrees respectively. She taught for the Los Angeles Unified School District for over 40 years touching the lives of many young people.

Throughout the years several of her students told her how much she had impacted their lives, personally and educationally. Maggie opened her classroom doors daily during lunch welcoming her students. Many of them would ask for her advice whether it be pertaining to their academic goals or family life. On occasion, she would run into former students who warmly approached her and gratefully thanked her for the difference she had made in their lives.

Maggie's happiest day was the birth of her daughter, Marie whom she loved and dedicated her life to. She would make the holidays extra special with fancy, velvet Christmas dresses, the latest toys, and delicious holiday meals. Birthdays always had special themes and aimed to bring loved ones together. Maggie loved to travel with her daughter all over the world experiencing new cultures and meeting people.

Maggie enjoyed conversing with people from all walks of life. She would strike up a conversation with whomever she met. During her travels, Maggie engaged in conversations with people discussing Latin American history and various cultures. She often said: "I will never stop being a teacher!" Indeed she never did. In her retirement years, she volunteered at a local food pantry on a weekly basis. There she continued to serve the community she cared about.