Sister Maria Luz Hernandez

Sr. Maria Luz Hernandez, 92, of Topeka, Kansas passed away peacefully at her home in the company of her community on July 24th, 2017. 

Sister Maria was born on December 18, 1924 in Topeka, the daughter of Eufemio and Trinidad Hernandez.  She attended Our Lady of Guadalupe School.  Sr. Maria entered the Augustinian Recollect Order in Cali, Colombia in 1958.   

Sister was well known for her work among, the poor, the needy and those who were being exploited.  On returning from Colombia, Sister worked in Newark, New Jersey and Amarillo, Texas.  She also worked fearlessly, in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles with the LA police department among the gangs.  In 1999, she returned to Topeka to continue her ministry to the Hispanic community.  She founded the community of Augustinian Recollect Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Consolation.  She will be remembered for her strong faith and tireless service to the People of God.  She helped countless people to attain their citizenship and she treasured her ministry to the sick and the dying.   She was a mentor, a teacher, a friend, a counselor, and a poet.  She was an expert cook and seamstress, and was very talented at all forms of needlecraft.

Despite her active ministry, Sister Maria deeply loved her family and was always able to keep them as a priority in her life.  She is survived by the members of her community, Sr Juanita Banuelos and Sr Rebecca Granado, her brothers:  Vicente (Gloria) of Topeka, Ascension (Rosemary) of Shawnee, Kansas, and Arcadio (Carol) of Lowell, Indiana.  She also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers:  Valeriano, Celestino, and Benjamin, and two sisters:  Aurora and Victoria.

Sister Maria will lie in state at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Sunday, August 6th from 6:00 PM until Mass time.   The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 7th at 10:00 AM at the Church with interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.