Norma B. Hernandez was born in Nogales, Arizona, on October 27th, 1925. She peacefully passed in her sleep on February 11th, 2026, in Torrance, California.

At age five, the family settled in Ensenada, Mexico, where she went to school. She played drums in the High School band and met her future husband, Miguel Hernandez, during this time. As a teenager, our mom enjoyed dancing and often stayed out late with her sisters on the dance floor. She also worked at a downtown Ensenada gift shop, where she occasionally met celebrities escaping to the local beachfront hotel, Hotel Playa, a popular casino resort.

She married on June 17, 1949, in San Diego, and again in Ensenada on June 19th. They lived in San Pedro and Long Beach before moving to Torrance, CA in 1954, where they bought their first home. Lifelong friendships were established in this neighborhood, and it was here where they raised their three children, Irene (1950), Michael (1951) and Marla (1954).

She devoted herself to maintaining a spotless home and caring for her family. However, she regularly enjoyed afternoon coffee with neighbors before her children returned home from school.

Our mother was a quiet and reserved woman deeply devoted to her family. She possessed far more strength and intelligence than she realized. She achieved many things despite not having an extensive formal education. Along with the help and guidance of caring neighbors, she learned how to speak English by reading magazines, and watching television. With every challenge, our mother transformed and grew.

In 1989, they moved to a retirement community in Oceanside. When our father passed away in 1995, she chose to remain in Oceanside and live independently, which led her to blossom socially. She soon became a lively presence in her community, enjoying card games and activities with her friends and neighbors. She enjoyed the many clubhouse activities, such as line dancing, Bunch for Lunch, Bingo Nights and many other various festive events throughout the year. She especially enjoyed playing Skip Bo with her many friends in the village. She was known for her competitive spirit, never holding back, not even with the grandkids! She often won.

She loved her grandchildren, near or far, and was always delighted by the photos we shared with her. She also appreciated their help breaking the piñata at her birthday celebrations.

Norma was predeceased by her parents, Jose Jorge Barreda, Angela Barreda; her husband, Miguel Hernandez, her son, Michael Martin Hernandez; and her siblings, Estela Romero (sister), Olga Barreda (sister), and Alfonso Barreda (brother).

She is survived by her loving siblings: Liova Sarabia (sister), Jose Jorge Barreda, Jr. (brother);her children: Irene LeRoy (Jerry) and Marla Virgin; her daughter-in-law, Sharon Hernandez; her grandchildren: Andorra Seager (David), Joshua LeRoy (Heather), Angela Thompsen (David), Robert Hernandez (April), Matthew Virgin (Andi), Michael Hernandez (Liz), Paul Virgin (Lizzy-fiancé), and Daniel Hernandez (Amilee); her great-grandchildren: Nicole Seager, Madison Seager, Ryan Thompsen (Aleka), Kevin Thompsen, Daniel Hernandez, Karl Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, Sophia Hernandez, and Marley Virgin; her Step-Grandchildren, Alex Crochet and Joey Crochet; and one great-great granddaughter (Ryan and Aleka) on the way; also surviving are many cherished nieces and nephews and dear friends.