Sister Margarita Rebecca Suarez Hernandez, a member of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus passed away on August 6, 2020.  She was 77 years old.  Sister Margarita Hernandez was born in Puebla, Mexico on July 20, 1943. Her parents were Gabriel Saldaña and Esther Suarez., by adoption, David Hernandez.

Sister Margarita was a vowed member of the congregation for 45 years.  She professed her first vows on July 25, 1975 and made her final vows on July 15, 1979 in San Antonio, TX.

Sister Margarita Hernandez graduated from San Felipe High School in Del Rio, TX.  She received an Associate Degree from San Antonio College, San Antonio, TX.  She studied at the Mexican American Cultural Center and Oblate College for pastoral ministry.

Sister Margarita Hernandez did Catechetical Ministry in Brownsville and Progreso, TX.  She was a pre-school teacher and catechist in Raton, New Mexico.

Most of her ministry from 1989 to 2018 was in Mexico City, Mexico serving as a Pastoral Coordinator in Santa Rita and Providencia Parishes.  She volunteered at Casa Hogar, an institution for homeless boys. Upon her return to the United States, she volunteered with Catholic Charities Adopt-A-Senior program.

Sister Margarita was proud of her Mexican heritage.  She loved to dance and was always eager to teach the cultural dances of Mexico. She enjoyed celebrating life events.  She had a warm, caring presence to the elderly and was always attentive to the needs of her Sisters in community.  She was proud of her dual citizenship in the United States and Mexico.

Sister Margarita Hernandez is preceded in death by her parents, her step-father, and a sister, Carmen Hernandez. She is survived by her sisters, Felicitas Hernandez, Maria Teresa Fieher, Gloria De Francisco and numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews. She is also survived by two step-brothers, Carlos and Andres Saldaña and a step- sister Amelia Saldaña Bermudez as well as her religious congregation, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be held August 10, 2020, at Blessed Sacrament Parish, San Antonio, TX, with the viewing and rosary preceding the Mass. The services are private.  Burial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SSCJ Memorial Garden, Inc., 11931 Radium St., San Antonio, TX 78216