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Mary Esther Hernandez was born on March 25, 1924, in San Antonio, Texas. Esther went to be with our Lord on September 21, 2023, after living a full life at ninety-nine years old. Her ancestors are decedents of the Canary Islands. Esther was proficient in math. She withdrew from school early to help support her family, which was always her priority. During her teenage years, she enjoyed attending events at Brackenridge Park. It was there that she met Gilbert while playing a carnival game when he asked her, “Having any luck?”. She would later marry Gilbert Hernandez in the Catholic Church wearing the dress that she had envisioned. In fact, she had a seamstress make the dress from a magazine photo. Her wedding picture is proudly displayed in her home that they both shared for over 60 years. She was employed at Kelly AFB where she stenciled logos on wooden crates until the war was over. Music from the 40s would bring back memories of her dancing the jitterbug. She helped establish a family-owned Molino located on Cupples Road. Esther volunteered with the St. James Alter Society alongside Father Joe Novak and Father John Yanta for many years. Her commitment to the Catholic Church was nothing short of selflessness. She contributed to many charities including the Monks of St. Benedict, Meals on Wheels, and St. Jude’s Foundation. Her faith would also embody the Catholic education which was perceived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her love for life included gardening, cooking, enjoying the beach, watching the Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, and being a caregiver to many children in the family. The lesson she leaves us is: Don’t waste money on possessions. You can’t take them with you when you are gone. Bring flowers and visit family when they are still alive. Let this twilight be an inspiration for all of us as we have another day to draw breath. Esther will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Gilbert Hernandez, parents, Manuel and Juanita Arispe, brothers, Manual Jr. Arispe, Adolf Arispe, and Rudy Arispe, and sister Trini Hitzfeldt. Esther is survived by her loving children, Anthony Hernandez and his wife, Linda, and Agnes Hernandez Clutter and her husband, Rick, her grandchildren, Kimberly and Derek, and her great-grandchildren, Gianna and Elianna, as well as her sisters, Lillie Torres, her brother, John Arispe, and her nieces and nephews.

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Mary Esther Hernandez

March 25, 1924 - September 21, 2023