Gardenia Herrera

MICHIGAN - Gardenia Herrera, 36, passed away tragically on Sunday, August 19, 2018, in Michigan. She was born on March 22, 1982, in Harlingen, Texas to Pedro Hernandez Sr. and Juana Hernandez. "Dena", as Gardenia was known by family and friends, was full of laughter and smiles. She grew up in a big family with eight siblings in Weslaco. Dena loved to sing all of her life. She sang in the choir at a young age and though there were differing opinions among her sisters, on her level of talent, she sang none the less, all of the time. She also will be remembered for her fascination with sci-fi and aliens. She enjoyed talking about the possibilities of extraterrestrials and maybe more of a fascination with the unknown. Dena loved to go outdoors and enjoy nature. She would enjoy long drives, especially in the quiet of late nights. She was a child of God and a Christian, who raised all five of her children as a single mom. She saw that the children did attend church and she worked very hard to make sure they were well cared for. Many will remember Dena from CiCi's, where she worked for over a decade. She worked two jobs at a time when she needed to and even saved enough money to have a quinceanera for her oldest daughter, Tiffeny. Dena had plans to move into management and had attended school. Dena was the glue that kept the family together. She had kids young, so she was always the one who planned and organized the barbecues, get-togethers, and birthday parties, so she could make sure her kids were able to play with their cousins. Dena had a strong personality and work ethic. She made sacrifices for her family that most people would be afraid of. She was caring, fun, and loving, but most of all, selfless. Gardenia is preceded in death by her father, Pedro Hernandez Sr., and passed away tragically the day before her eleven-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn. She is survived by her mom, Juana Hernandez, daughters, Tiffeny N. Herrera, Arleene L. Herrera, Evelynn L. Herrera, son, Joziah E. Aguilera, grandchildren, Roileen M. Cuellar, Roy Cuellar III, and Armanie Gonzalez, brothers, Pedro Hernandez Jr., Rafael Hernandez (Rosario), and Jesse Hernandez of Florida, sisters, Sylvia Avalos (Frank), Christina McCants, of Florida, Graciela Hernandez (Blas), Gabriela Hernandez (Arturo), Griselda Hernandez (Armando), of Weslaco, and numerous nephews and nieces. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 31st, from 9am-9pm, at McCaleb Funeral Home chapel, with an hour of sharing and prayer taking place at 7 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 1st, at 10 am, at McCaleb Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Sacred Park Cemetery in Mercedes.