Elizabeth “Bette” Ann Hernandez, age 71, of Elgin, IL, passed away on May 20, 2024, after a long illness. She was born April 27, 1953 in Elgin, IL to her loving parents, George C. Hernandez Sr. and Maria “Sally” Epifania Alberta Rita Rodriguez Hernandez.

Bette resided in Elgin throughout her lifetime, beginning with their first family home on Belmont Street near St. Joseph Hospital. She attended St. Laurence Catholic Grade School, and graduated from the fairly new Larkin High School near their home, Class of 1971. Bette continued her education at Elgin Community College, with an emphasis on business. She was then employed with the First National Bank of Elgin, and later on with the Elgin Sweeper Company.

During her free time, Bette enjoyed volunteering at various locations, but primarily at the Gail Borden Public Library and the Elgin Senior Center. In addition to helping with the entertainment programs for the attending seniors, she especially enjoyed the craft-making programs provided for the seniors. She, as well as the many volunteer friends she made, helped the seniors as they each created sewn items. She also made quilts, scarves, and other sewn items for seniors living in her surrounding neighborhood. And she also enjoyed baking cookies and other treats for local seniors and for many of the downtown businesses that served seniors.

Bette’s favorite pastime was sharing any free time with her two puppies, her Rat Terrier Taz, and her Chow mix Sassy. Bette took pride in sharing her puppies with her neighbors and they took their daily strolls. Some neighbors even waited with treats for the puppies, and would often volunteer to babysit when Better needed help.

Bette was preceded in death by her parents; as well as by many of her large extended family, both from Elgin and from various Elgin area communities. She is survived by her two brothers, George (Jan) Hernandez Jr. of Salt Lake City, UT and Michael Hernandez of Orlando, FL.

Visitation will be 5:00pm to 9:00pm, with funeral service at 7:00pm, Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Fr. Robert Camacho will be officiating.

Private internment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, 1001 Villa Street, Elgin, IL 60120.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.