Cecilia Hernandez

"When the journey of my life had a clear ending in sight, I was walking with so much joy towards my Lord, Jesus," is what Cecilia Estioko Hernandez wrote in a journal in 2012. And it is with that joy that she walked back into the arms of her maker on November 15 2017.

Born in Manila, Philippines on August 3 1952 to Pomposa Arboleda-Ureta and Sergio Acosta Estioko, Cecilia was a renowned traditional Filipino dancer. She married Jaime Carmelo Lising Hernandez in 1972 and immigrated to Canada to escape Martial Law. To support her growing family, she worked at TD Bank where she continued to work for 30 years. Despite her sadness reconfiguring her dreams to accommodate the needs of her children, she continued to teach Filipino folk traditions, dance and song to countless Filipino youth. Even in her old age, while enduring numerous health issues she taught dance to fellow elders in her church as devout worship.

While she is survived by her husband, Jaime, her daughters, Christina Hernandez Drain, Charlaine Hernandez and Catherine Hernandez; the most important survivors are the seven recipients of her organs.

Cecilia's spirit lives on in her lungs, liver, kidneys, eyes, pancreas, and blood she has generously donated.

A viewing (10am-12pm), funeral service (12pm-1pm) and reception will be held at Rosewood Church of the Nazarene located at 657 Milner Ave in Scarborough on Monday November 20 2017.

In lieu of flowers her family is asking folks to contribute to Cecilia's Cuban Mission, which she participated in twice in her lifetime.

https://www.gofundme.com/cecilia-hernandez-cuba-mission?pc=em_db_co2876_v1&rcid=e6b719e1791948aa944e3de381b7ca24