Mercedes Ornelas Hernandez

Mercedes Ornelas Hernandez passed on peacefully the morning of September 23, 2024, with her daughter, Susy, and son-in-law, Paul, by her side. Despite enduring several years of advanced Alzheimer's, Mercedes remained a beloved presence to everyone around her. She will be dearly missed and forever loved.

 Mercedes was raised in Mexico and completed nursing school in Mexico City. She married Dr. Eligio S. Hernandez (Lito) in 1950. The pair moved a great deal in their early years, living in Cuba and Mexico, and then multiple cities in Illinois before settling in East Dundee in 1964. There, they created a beautiful home on 3 acres filled with roses, fountains, and flower gardens where they welcomed family and friends – and often patients – making them all feel valued and welcome. Luckily, Mercedes’s sister met her husband through the couple, and they also settled in Chicagoland. It was a life’s privilege for Mercedes to have her only sibling close by, and to raise their families at the same time.

 Mercedes worked at home raising her 5 children, and then for many years worked in her husband’s (and later her son’s) medical office. Mercedes loved the winter; shoveling snow, the holidays, and even though she and Lito did not ski themselves, each year, on the day after a formal and fun Christmas Eve and Christmas, they drove to Michigan or Colorado to take their children, nieces and nephews skiing. Mercedes also enjoyed swimming laps, reading, all sorts of sewing, and getting together with life-long friends.

 Mercedes was known to most as “Guera”, “Tia Guera”, or Abuela. She was a giving spirit who lived by example of kindness, generosity, good manners, and love. At the same time, she was home base for many light-hearted troublemakers, and empowered adventure, good humor, and confidence, even when she was faced with some of life's hardships as an immigrant, wife, and mother. 

 As a mom she was THERE. Ready to help; set up a party, move into a new apartment, care and house her children’s families during times of transition, babysit at the drop of a hat, stop by with grocery staples, and make soup to leave for her children’s return after a vacation, or after the birth of another grandchild. Her home was clean and neat 24/7, and when her children didn’t “have time,” she would tidy their home too–usually without asking first! Mercedes could be strict with her children (see: Wooden Spoon) but her spoon also provided the ultimate comfort food. She did not particularly enjoy cooking, but family and friends requested her staples: white rice, beans and melted cheese, Abuela soup, quesadillas, meatloaf with boxed mac and cheese, truffled stuffing, and flan for holidays. She had many funny sayings, but her faith brought up “God willing” (si Dios quiere) the most often.

 Mercedes loved all children and was particularly affectionate and devoted to her grandchildren; and they adored her in return. She often traveled to them, celebrated every milestone, and was endlessly proud of each of them and the people they were growing up to be. Abuela was the best teacher. She taught many to use her sewing machine; to bake, craft, speak Spanish; to enjoy playing outside; and to empathize with others. Her home was a place of warmth, joy, and comfort that was always there for them to return to for Abuela soup, a playful bite on the arm, a giggle-filled manners lesson at her kitchen table (wooden spoon broken long ago), and a shopping trip or a new toy. Mercedes was silly, adoring, and everything one could hope for in an Abuela.

 Mercedes moved to Madison, WI in 2009 after the death of her husband and sister. She enjoyed living in downtown Madison where she wisely chose the community, and continuum of care that Capital Lakes offered. She made many new friends, started a happy hour-wine group, and helped raise her grandchildren. Through years of ever-worsening Alzheimer’s, she remained a force of inspiration, good humor, and sweetness to her family and those who cared for her. Her family is very grateful to all who helped Mercedes. 

 She loved and will always be loved.

 Mercedes is survived by her children: Edward, George, Micheal, Robert and Susy; in-laws: MaryBeth Melton, Sonya Gilb, Jaimie Kaye, Christy Egan Hernandez, Mary Hernandez, and Paul Cranley; and grandchildren: Sarada (Keith Martell), Tasha, Tess (Shane Mattner), Kelly, Katie (Calum Bashford), Hannah, Sofia, Emma, Isabel, Paul, Megan, and Matthew; Niece and Nephews: James, Richard, and Pilar Marzo.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following charitable organizations:

Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center: https://rush.scalefunder.com/cfund/project/31971/donate?utm_source=scalefunder&utm_campaign=amb_share&utm_content=m8rx3jxqnx48oenppp4kzep&utm_medium=plain&fund_id=ALZ-DIS-CTR62168

Capital Lakes Foundation, Benevolent Care: https://www.yourclfoundation.org/donate

 Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com