Maria Valentina Hernandez passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on September 23, 2023 at the age of 73. She was born on February 14, 1950 in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, MX to Maria Rios and Ignacio Gonzalez. The eldest daughter of a family of 14 children, her family moved to Las Cruces, NM when she was a child, where she lived until she left to Los Ángeles, California as a young adult. There, she eventually married and had her daughter, who was her everything. She was close to her daughter's father's family in California as well as her own in New Mexico. Her work friends loved her and as someone who dedicated a lot of time toward the local Ballet Folklorico groups, she had yet another family in them. She is remembered fondly, known by all as a kind-hearted and generous woman, who had a beaming smile and a lovely, ever-positive light about her. She sacrificed for others and always saw the good in people. She had a way of making the best of any situation. With a massive stroke in 2014, she was left disabled and even this didn't stop her from being who she was. She always smiled when you walked in the room and continued to live in alignment with her Catholic values. She loved music- especially that of Pedro Infante- and was ever proud of her Mexican heritage. Despite many hardships, she was admirably strong. She never complained and lived with love and grace right until the end.

Those left to mourn her loss include her daughter Noemy Hernandez, her granddaughter Bella Glashow, and her 5 brothers and 7 sisters.

She was preceded in death by her parents Maria Patrocinio and Ignacio Gonzalez, and her brother Ignacio "Nacho" Gonzalez.

A prayer vigil will be held on Wednesday October 4, 2023 at the Basilica of San Albino, 2280 Calle Principal. Visitations will begin at 12:00 P.M. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 01:00 P.M. and the Mass will be Celebrated at 01:30 P.M. Interment and Rite of Committal will conclude and the San Albino Cemetery.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of LasCruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com