Catalina M. "Doña Cata" Hernandez

Catalina M. Hernández, Doña Cata, passed away peacefully at 3:45 AM in Brownsville, Texas, on August 20, 2025, at the age of 78.

Catalina was known for her strength, warmth, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was born in Veracruz, Mexico, to her beloved mother, Silbiana Balbuena, who raised her as a single parent. Together, they moved from Veracruz to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, in search of opportunity. Catalina worked odd jobs to help support her mother while pursuing her studies at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas. Despite the distance, she returned to Matamoros on weekends to help with living expenses - a testament to her loyalty and selflessness.

Eventually, Catalina settled in Brownsville, Texas, after securing work at a shrimp packing company. Shortly after, she met and married the love of her life, Jose de Jesús Hernández Solis. After marrying, she made Brownsville her permanent home and began working as a seamstress with Levi Strauss & Co., where she remained for over 30 years. During that time, she built a life rooted in hard work, faith, and family, raising six children and creating a warm, nurturing home.

After the Levi's plant closed, Catalina returned to school at Texas Southmost College to get her associate's degree and retrained as a Medicare Ombudsman and Fraud Prevention Specialist. She went on to work with the National Hispanic Council on Aging, dedicating herself to helping senior citizens in the Rio Grande Valley understand and access their Medicare and government benefits. Her passion for serving the elderly earned her national recognition - a legacy of advocacy that made a lasting impact on her community.

Catalina was preceded in death by her mother, Silbiana Balbuena, her husband, José de Jesús Hernández Solís, and her brother, Bernardo Díaz of Veracruz, Veracruz. She is survived by her six children:

Sylvia Adriana Hernández Kauffman, married to Dr. David Kauffman, Liliana Hernández, Jesús Hernández III, married to Deyanira M. Hernández, Omar Hernández, Dr. Nadia Hernández, married to Dr. Gustavo Cuadros. She is also survived by her nephew, Bernardo Díaz III, married to Adriana Otañez Hernández.

Catalina was a proud and loving grandmother to:

Liv Treviño, Ricardo Dakota Hernández, Jacqueline Silviana Treviño, Karina Celeste Hernández, Keila Cecilia Hernández, Daniel Paul Hernández Kauffman, Vincent Drake-Silvano Hernández, Natalia Sylviana Hernández Kauffman, Gabriela Nikole Hernández, Jesús Hernández IV, Jalyn Austyn Barrera, Isabella Sophia Hernández Kauffman, Santiago Alonso Hernández, Kareem Carter Agbetoba, Christian Mauricio Hernández, Elani Nadine Chang, and Kylie Anjelina Hernández.

She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Charlotte Rain Ferrante, Julian Alexander Hernández, Ezekiel Eulogio Rubio, and Mark Anthony Treviño III.

Catalina's legacy is one of fierce determination, boundless love, and tireless service. She was the heart of her family and a champion for the vulnerable. Her life was a testament to what can be built with faith, sacrifice, and perseverance. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A funeral service to honor Catalina's life will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Home in Brownsville, Texas, with visitation from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a Holy Rosary Service beginning at 2:00 PM. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance and celebration of the remarkable woman she was.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485.

To send flowers or a plant to the family in the memory of Catalina M. Hernandez, please visit https://shalomflorals.com or call (956) 572-3872.