Maria Elena Hernandez

Maria Elena Hernandez, affectionately known as "Kika," 82, of Charlotte, passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2024, with her loving family by her side.

Kika was born August 13, 1941 in Maguey, La Vega, Dominican Republic to the late Juan Hernandez and Maria de los Angeles Neris. 

She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Silvia and Marina, and two brothers, Negere and Quico.

Mami was insanely passionate and fiercely protective of her family. She was the original stone to solidify our foundation; The glue that held our family together. She was strong, caring, brave, smart, business driven, courageous, and selfless. From very young, Kika was incredibly hardworking. She grated coconuts, made candy to sell, and raffled tickets. She tended to all our friends and neighborhood kids, healing wounds and cooking meals, and became a mother figure to all, and was referred to as Mami. She also administered vaccines to underprivileged kids in the Dominican Republic. She never met a stranger in need that she wouldn't help. She was and will remain being one of our two greatest pillars. We will all love and miss her forever. 

The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Sunday, July 7, 2024 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg.

Survivors include her lifelong friend and husband of 52 years Juan "Fredy" Francisco Ortega, daughter, Maria Elena Ortega, son, Juan F. Ortega, and his wife Yari, daughter, Maria Del Carmen Ortega, nine grandchildren, Joey, Cristian, Anthony, Sean, Matthew, Elizabeth, Jayden, Justin, and Jacob, four sisters, Modesta, Sangeles, Ninita, Rosario, and three brothers, Kiko, Pingo, and Juan Rey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Kika, to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Ortega Hernandez family.

Maria Elena Hernandez afectuosamente conocida como "Kika", 82, de Charlotte, fallecio Miercoles, Julio 3, 2024, con su amorosa familia a su lado.

Kika nacio Agosto 13, 1941 en Maguey, La Vega, Republica Dominicana. Sus padres fueron Juan Hernandez y Maria de los Angeles Neris. Precedida en la muerte por dos hermanas, Silvia y Marina, y dos hermanos, Negere y Quico.

Mami era locamente apasionada y ferozamente protectora de su familia. Ella fue la roca original que solidifico nuestra fundacion; La ega que mantenia a nuestra familia unida.

Era fuerte, carinosa, valiente, inteligente, impulsada por el negocio y abnegada. Desde muy joven Kika fue increiblemente trabajadora. Cuando nina ella hacia dulce de coco para vender, y rifaba caraquitas. Mami atendia a todos nuestros amigos y muchachos del barrio, curandole las herida y preparandoles de comer, ella se convirtio en una figura materna para ellos y todos la llamaban Mami. Ella tambien sirvio como voluntaria administrando vacunas a ninos en la Republica Dominicana. No habia un extrano que necesitara alluda al cual ella no le extendiera su mano. 

Ella fue y permanecera siendo uno de nuestros dos grandes pilares de nuestra familia. Nosostros todos la amaremos y la extranaremos para siempre.

La familia recivira amigos y familiares de 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Domingo, Julio 7, 2024 en Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg.

Sobrevivientes incluyen amigo de toda la vida y esposo de 52 anos Juan "Fredy" Francisco Ortega, hija, Maria Elena Ortega, hijo, Juan F. Ortega, y su esposa Yari, hija, Maria del Carmen Ortega, nueve nietos, Joey, Cristian, Anthony, Sean, Mathew, Elizabeth, Jayden, Justin y Jacob, cuatro hermanas, Modesta, Sangeles, Ninita, Rosario, y tres hermanos, Kiko, Pingo y Juan Rey.

En lugar de flores, donaciones pueden ser hecha en honor a Kika, a St. Judes Children's Hospital.