Mariella Hernandez

Hamden - Mariella Hernandez, 84, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Yale New Haven Hospital with her family by her side. She was the wife of Wilfredo Hernandez.

Mrs. Hernandez was born June 4, 1940, in Roldanillo Valle, Colombia, the daughter of the late Aristides and Maria Rojas Ruiz. She was a hairstylist in Colombia early in her career and a Seamstress for Starter Sportswear and New England Linen in New Haven, CT until her retirement.

Mariella was an avid gardener, loved cooking (especially her infamous Colombian Empanadas), and watching soccer, in particularly the Deportivo Cali team from Colombia. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband and children. With her family, she travelled to Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, Tunis, Colombia, Bermuda, and many states throughout the United States. She loved going “anywhere they will take me.”

Her biggest joy was being surrounded by family and friends and spending time with her grandchildren. She always welcomed everyone into her home with open arms. Her love and kindness will never be forgotten.

Besides her husband of 54 years, she is survived by her son Wilfred Hernandez; her daughters Maribel Hernandez, Diana Hernandez-DeGroat (husband Kyle), and Janette Hernandez Walker (husband Samuel); her sisters, Maruja Ruiz, Edith Salcedo, Alba Hernandez and Camila Ruiz and her brother Sady Ruiz; her grandchildren Isabella Hernandez and Diego Hernandez, Alexandria DeGroat, Ian Walker, and Ava Walker; her great-grandchild Kairo Martinez and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brothers Hector, Ruiz, Ignacio Ruiz, and Aldemiro Ruiz, and her sisters Elida Lenis, Ana Ruiz, and Melba Lucy Ruiz and daughter Yamilet Hernandez.

Arrangements – Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main St. On Friday, her funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 and proceed to St. Bridget Church, 175 Main Street, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. Burial will follow in Cheshire Hillside Cemetery.