Marilyn Hernandez

Marilyn Sarah Hernandez led her life as a devoted mother, wife, grandma, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend with love, generosity, and cheer. She died on November 2, 2024, surrounded by her family in her home in Provo, Utah, due to Alzheimer's. She was 61 and is survived by her husband, six children, five siblings, and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Marilyn was born on July 30, 1963, in Albany, California, to Leanore Ream Robinson and Raymond Morgan Robinson. She was the beloved baby sister of Kay (Gary), Sharlene (Aaron), Ron (Lenny), Marian/Leah, and Susan.
Marilyn attended Vista Hills and Fairmede Elementary schools and Helms Junior High. She graduated from Richmond High School in Richmond, California, in 1981. She studied American Sign Language/Deaf Studies at Contra Costa Community College.
Marilyn loved to read books; she could be buried in them for hours. Her siblings remember catching her reading on the toilet or the floor in the bathroom-any quiet place. She also loved to sing at a very young age and made up songs with the cutest words and tunes, singing her heart out until someone needed to use her quiet place. She joined book clubs throughout her life, played piano and volleyball, read Spider-Man comics and Peanuts comic strips, and helped her dad in his photography shop.
The Peanuts gang became Marilyn's lifelong love. Artistically minded from a young age, she drew the characters all the time. She received her nickname, Joey, after her favorite Peanuts character, Snoopy, whose alter-ego was Joe Cool. Instead of a lemonade stand like your average kid, Joey and her best friend set a stand in front of the Robinson house selling hand-drawn and hand-made magnets of the Peanuts characters. They also made animation movies with an 8mm movie camera using toys and clay figures they sculpted, moving them and recording segments until they had a whole mini movie.
Marilyn moved to Provo, Utah, in 1985 to live with her sister, Shar, and brother-in-law, Aaron. Marilyn married Mario Hernandez on March 31, 1989, in Provo. They were sealed in the Manti Temple on February 14, 1991-a perfect day for her romantic heart! Marilyn fulfilled her dream of being a mother with children Sharlene, Andrew (Amanda), Celeste, Natalia, Tatiana, and Mario/Ray. Whenever asked by her family what she wanted for birthday or Christmas gifts, she always responded with, "a happy family."
Marilyn was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She shared her testimony through daily acts of service, loving words, and formal church callings, including primary President and counselor, primary and Sunbeam teacher, Young Women's leader, primary pianist and chorister, and visiting teacher. She taught herself fluent Spanish as an active member of the Spanish ward she took her family to as a way to immerse her children in their culture. She loved children, the beauties of the Earth, crafting, and music, often incorporating these passions into her service to make learning fun and joyful. Marilyn constantly went above and beyond to help children live and love the gospel as much as she did with interactive trinkets for hands-on learning and thoughtful personalized gifts. She enthusiastically attended girls' camp with her daughters and led nature hikes to identify local plants. Marilyn was known for giving everyone nicknames, a testament to her creativity and affection for all.
Marilyn always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but she shared her love freely with friends as a postal clerk at the US Postal Service's East Bay office in Provo for 20 years until her diagnosis and retirement in 2021. She sacrificed so much of her time, energy, and wellness for her family even as she worked difficult hours. She always took off work for each child's birthday to dedicate the day to personalized celebrations so each of her six children felt special.
Marilyn was the most caring mother, volunteering in the Parent Teacher Association, hand-making Halloween costumes and Valentine's Day gifts, and going on trips around the world with her husband and children. She learned to cook various Mexican dishes she shared with all of the many people she welcomed into her home. She expressed her love by sharing her artistic talents making crafts and treats for countless birthdays and activities.
Any friend or acquaintance knew Marilyn's immense pride in her family, specifically her children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Her family has been honored to give back and take care of her over the course of her illness, finding ways to laugh, dance, and revel in the beauties of nature and each other with her. She was the best mother and she will be deeply, dearly missed but honored for her inspiring legacy of gentleness, patience, kindness, joy, and love.
Please join the family at a celebration of Marilyn's life on November 9, 2024, at Marilyn's LDS chapel, 1090 West 1020 South in Provo, UT. A visitation will be held at 10:30 am (MST). A memorial service will follow at noon at the same location. A graveside service will directly follow at the Provo City Cemetery at 610 South State Street in Provo, UT. The service will be broadcast at https://nelsonmortuary.com/obituaries/marilyn-hernandez-2024. We would love for all who knew Marilyn to share memories to her memorial page on the same link. If you would like to, feel free to wear red, Marilyn's favorite color.
We are so grateful to Valeo Home Health and Hospice for the kind and loving care Marilyn received.