Rufina A. Hernando

February 21, 1931 - May 18, 2021

Rufina A. Hernando passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in her home in Benicia, California at the age of 90. She was born on February 21, 1931 in Guiuan, Philippines to Pacifico Melquiades Amigo and Crecencia Abuda. At age 20, Rufina married Pastor R. Ramboy, a merchant marine seaman and arrived in the United States on July 4, 1952. Together, they had 3 girls, Cecilia, Soledad, and Teresa. They divorced in 1974. Rufina lived in San Francisco and Daly City for many years, moved to Vallejo and last residing in Benicia, CA. A determined and hardworking woman, she worked 2 full-time jobs for a number of years. My Auntie Grace got her a job at the Willat Company in San Francisco (a beauty supply manufacturing company). The owner, Mr. Arnold Willat had patented the first cold wave permanent. Rufina was instrumental in helping him build the Willat Jetstream 5 minute hair dryer! She enjoyed working at Willat until the company closed its doors around 1987. Her other job was working swingshift as a maid at the Hilton Hotel SF. She enjoyed working at the Hilton and was a star employee with a number of great moments there. With seniority, she worked the executive floor, meeting famous people such as John Goodman, former President Clinton and Hilary Clinton, Barry Bonds (who gave her a baseball), Paris Hilton (as a child), various rock stars, NBA basketball players, among others. She was selected to present roses to President Cory Aquino when she stayed at the Hilton Hotel on her first visit to the U.S. as President of the Philippines. The family loved hearing about her stories at the Hilton. She retired at the age of 70. Rufina remarried in 1981 to Florentino Hernando and they were inseparable for the next 37 years. Although Catholic, Rufina supported Flor in attending church services every Sunday at Faith Bible Church of Vallejo. Rufina enjoyed a number of passions, such as gardening, shopping, making jewelry, and especially spending time with family. She loved life, always laughing, smiling, joking around, dancing and enjoying good times esp. with her BFF Auntie Carmen. She loved her gardens filled with roses and other flowers going non-stop to make them beautiful. Neighbors in Benicia on their daily walks enjoyed gazing at her garden and greeting her and Flor as they lovingly planted and maintained the various plants and flowers. Rufina loved hunting eggs every Easter with her grandkids and great-grandkids. She got a kick out of finding at least 2 eggs, hiding them in her pockets afterwards and showing her victory at the end with the kids. Rufina was preceded in death by her parents, Pacifico Melquiades Amigo and Crecencia Abuda and her 3 sisters, Paciencia. Lucia, and Julianna. She is survived by her brother Rufino (in the Philippines), her daughters, Cecilia (Victor), Soledad (Dennis RIP), and Teresa (Peter), her grandchildren (6), Desiree (Eddie), Christopher (Kathleen), Rico (Catherine), Jessica, Samantha (Desmond), and Gabriella, and her great-grandchildren (3), Jax, Deija, Lucas, as well as nieces, nephews, and so many “adopted” nieces, nephews, grandkids, & great-grandkids from cousins and close friends, who knew her as “Grandma” as they all grew up. She loved each and every one of them. Rufina was always a spark of life, enjoyed making everyone laugh and will be missed dearly by all who knew her. A Celebration of Life Funeral Mass will be held at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church, 1200 Tuolumne St., Vallejo, CA on Saturday, 6/19/21 at 11:30 am. Internment will immediately follow at St. Dominic’s Catholic Cemetery, 585 Hillcrest Ave., Benicia.