Rafaela Hernandez was born 91 years ago in Durango, Mexico, but lived most of her life in Santa Barbara.

She worked for Acme Laundry, Mission Linen as a technic, but one of her favorite places to work was at the Mission Theater, where Mexican movies were shown and where she once met her idol Vicente Fernandez.

Rafaela participated every year in Fiesta, and was a member of the Santa Barbara/Puerto Vallarta Sister Cities.

Her passion, along with her family, was everyone else’s family.

When arriving from Mexico she met her lifelong second family, the Lemuses, and through them met many lifelong families.

She took care of many of her friend’s children, and she became known as the “baby whisperer,” calming fidgety babies. She was so trusted by parents who allowed her to travel to San Diego with their children.

She loved going dancing and eating at different restaurants being known as “Rafa de los Restaurantes.” There wasn’t a person Rafa didn’t like, and everyone she met became her friend.

She is preceded in death by her son Carlos, and her three sisters Cuca, Amparo and Rosalina and brother-in-law Ricardo.

She is survived by her daughters Cheli and Maria; grandchildren Wendi (Jose), Ivonne (Alex), Carlos Jr. and Anthony; seven great grandchildren; two great granddaughters; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins, many who she treated as her own.

Rafaela will be greatly missed by her family and by all who had the pleasure of meeting her. Her family and friends take comfort in the truly wonderful life she lived.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vincent’s, a nonprofit, where Rafaela lived and developed yet another family.

A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 18 at Guadalupe Church. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 19, also at Guadalupe Church, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Pueblo Del Rey Funeral Services.