Rosa R Hernandez

Rosa Hernandez was born August 29, 1930 in Williams, AZ to Juan Rodriguez and Juana Roman. She passed away on August 18, 2026 in Flagstaff, AZ. Rosa was the oldest of 8 children and took that responsibility very seriously. At 12, her mother was hospitalized with a serious illness, and Rosa quit school to help her dad run the household. This is where she learned how to budget and stretch a dollar

Her family moved to Flagstaff in 1942 where she met her husband, Tomas Hernandez. Rosa and Tom were married on March 14, 1950, and were together for 55 years until his death in 2005. She worked as a housekeeper for nearly 50 years to many prominent Flagstaff families. In her free time, Rosa enjoyed bowling and having canasta parties with friends. She and Tom would also go out dancing whenever they got the chance. Her true passion, however, was gardening, growing beautiful rose bushes and delicious fruits and vegetables.

Rosa was a fierce advocate for education, determined to see her siblings, children, and grandchildren finish school. Rosa knew the importance of civil justice as she was a voice for her immediate community. She was instrumental in the founding of La Plaza Vieja Park and stressed the importance of voting. She frequently hosted community forums for electoral candidates and fought for minority representation, especially Hispanic. She pushed all her children and grandchildren to vote as she herself missed only a couple of elections during her entire voting life.

Tom and Rosa opened their home as foster parents for over 50 years, to a countless number of special needs children/adults. Fostering was one Rosa’s greatest joys in life.

Rosa is survived by her children Rosemary Gonzalez, Robert Hernandez, Juanita (Fidel) Carillo, Edward (Juanita) Hernandez, Tuesday Suttle, and Michael Standing; siblings Ameila Garcia, Francis Garcia, and Jesse Rodriguez; 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Rosa is preceded in death by her husband Tom Hernandez, son Tommy Hernandez (survived by Mary Margaret), son-in-law Robert Gonzalez, 3 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, her parents, brothers Lucio, Ezequiel, and Johnny Rodriguez, and sister Antonia Baca.

Rosa wants her family to remember her as someone that has always been a strong person that could do anything.

Visitation: Thursday, August 20th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary (2545 N. Fourth Street).

Holy Rosary and funeral: Friday, August 21st, 10:00 a.m., San Francisco De Asis Church (1600 E Route 66). Luncheon to follow.

Interment: Saturday, August 22nd, 10:00 a.m., Calvary Catholic Cemetery (201 W. University Drive).