Clotilde "Cleo" Hernandez

CASA GRANDE - Clotilde "Cleo" Hernandez, 80, a longtime teacher, died on July 17, 2019.

Mrs. Hernandez was born on June 3, 1939, in Sanderson, Texas, to Vicente and Higinio Pena. After Sanderson High School and while at Sul Ross State University, she met the love of her life and her husband for 58 years, David M. Hernandez. She lived a life of service as an educator and volunteer. A year after starting her teaching career in 1960 in Pecos, Texas, she and David taught side by side. Moving to Arizona in 1967, she taught kindergarten through sixth grade for the Casa Grande Elementary School District. She became a counselor at the junior high school, then returned to teaching until retirement from Ocotillo School in 1996.

She was a role model for selfless volunteerism within the Casa Grande and Pinal County communities. She sat on the original Foster Care Review Boards for Pinal County and Arizona. She was a Cub Scout leader for Pack 978 and served on the Board of Directors for St. Vincent de Paul Society and lent a hand with its food bank. She would also enjoy her time each March interacting with her community as a Pinal County Fair ticket booth volunteer.

One of her greatest experiences was her involvement with the Alpha Delta Kappa teachers’ sorority. In May, she celebrated with her ADK sisters a golden anniversary. She was chapter president from 1982 to 1984.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a brother, Higinio Pena; and two sisters, Ramona Parada and Rita Silvas. She is survived by her four sons, David III, Duane, George and Carlo, and three grandsons.

Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 22, with rosary recited at 7, at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel. Funeral Mass celebrated at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Burial in Mountain View Cemetery.