Maria Linda Hernandez

Linda Hernández passed away suddenly in the early morning hours of December 23rd. Maria Linda Vargas Hernández was born April 11th, 1965 in Toppenish, Washington, the first child of Teresa Vargas Hernández and Francisco Hernández and the beloved big sister to Frank Jr., Emeterio, Jacinto, and Rebeca Teresa. The family eventually settled in Wapato in the big house that Linda would call home her entire life. After graduating from Wapato High School in 1984, Linda began work at Yakima Valley Regional Libraries, where she assisted at the local Wapato branch for 20 years. She loved working in the library–keeping the branch running smoothly, chatting the day away with patrons, providing crafts and fun books to kids, and relishing any opportunity to help a library visitor with tracking down a good read or even to assist with pesky homework questions. In 1996, Linda welcomed her miracle baby, Alfredo. He was the light of her life, and she was beautifully dedicated to him and his happiness. Never has there been a prouder mom. Since he was a kid, Linda has been on the sidelines rooting for her son for countless hours for every sport imaginable– track meets, basketball games, and hundreds of softball tournaments, all where Alfredo excelled. She was at her happiest cheering for her son and his teammates. The ultimate cheerleader, nothing could keep her away when it came to supporting her son. Rain or shine, Linda was always there for him. Linda was a devoted caretaker for her mother Teresa for many years. Her mom was her best friend and they were as close as could be. She was devoted in her care for Teresa and for the whole family and taught us all how to care for family and community. She was always the person to call and check in on someone, to offer support, a shoulder to cry on, or just a fun visit with some good food. Linda has always been the glue that kept our large family and network of friends together, hosting countless parties, barbecues, Easters, and cookie baking and tamales every Christmas Eve. During gatherings, Linda was constantly in motion, chatting, refilling plates, flipping a tortilla on the stove, giving the best hugs, and sharing stories and memories. She filled our lives with abundant laughter and kept everyone connected to each other. There are so many people in her life that were bonded by Linda’s love, humor, care, and her bright and brilliant smile. She was an incredible daughter, mother, sister, tía, niece, cousin, godmother, and friend. No matter who she was to you, her impact in your life has undoubtedly brought you warm memories that you will get to hold close forever. She is survived by her son Alfredo Hernández and Kamri Contreras of Wapato, her father, Frank Hernández, and her siblings Frank Hernández Jr. of Wapato, Emmett and Debbie Hernández of Alabama, and Jay and Melissa Hernández of Yakima. She is so loved and will be deeply missed by so many nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, and friends around the Valley and beyond. In her passing, she joins her mother Teresa and baby sister R.T. On her last day with family, as we decorated Christmas cookies together, Linda had the biggest smile as she shared the story of a dream she recently had of her mother. They were sitting together in the family kitchen, gossiping, telling stories, and filling the room with love and laughter. Just like always. After describing the dream, she said was comforted by knowing that her mom was always with her. We know that Linda is reunited with her mom and the rest of her family in heaven, continuing to fill the lives of those she loves with kindness, joy, and her infectious laughter. We will all miss her so much and look forward to visits with her in our own dreams.

Maria Linda Hernandez

April 11, 1965 - December 23, 2022

Navigation

Address

Contact Us

Maria Linda Hernandez

April 11, 1965 - December 23, 2022

Navigation

Address

Contact Us

365 Days of Grief Support