Katherine Zoe Hernández Rivera, known by most as Kathy or Cuca, bid a peaceful farewell to this world on 21 November, 2024, at the age of 36, in Altamonte Springs, FL. In her final moments, she was surrounded by family, flowers, and bathed in Florida sunshine while listening to the hymn, It Is Well With My Soul.
Katherine was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on September 25, 1988. The second of three kids to Enid Zoe Rivera Cabán and Victor Felix Hernández Cordero, she was sister to four siblings: Louren Enid Chen, Victor Alfonso Hernández, Pamela Melisa Hernández, and Gabriel Alberto Hernández. Though she had four names, she was known to most as Kathy or Cuca.
Katherine was born with a rare genetic disorder and neurological conditions which impacted her ability to move independently and to communicate through speech. She found many other ways to communicate, and charmed those who met her. Music was her joy throughout life, whether at church, in a car, or in concerts. She had a need for speed, from being pushed in her wheelchair to riding roller coasters in theme parks.
Her family encouraged her to be active, from participating in a baseball league, bowling, taking swimming lessons, horse back riding, and even jet skiing. She enjoyed all of those experiences, and gifted friends and family beautiful memories through them.
When Kathy was five years old, she moved to central Florida with her mom, sister, and brother. Altamonte Springs has been the family home for most of her life, with the exception of two years in Sanford. She attended Altamonte Springs Elementary, Millennium Middle School, and graduated from Lake Mary High School in 2006.
When she was 10 years old, Kathy met Drucilla Gray, known to most as Miss Dru, who was part of Kathy’s nurse care team. Miss Dru was devoted to Kathy, for whom she became a second mom over the last 26 years. When Kathy was almost 15, she gained two godparents, David and Marjorie Aguilar, who have been a steady and reliable presence for Kathy and her family.
Kathy was and will remain well loved. She is remembered by her mom Enid Zoe Brutcher and her husband David Brutcher; her father Victor Felix Hernández and his wife Glenda Nogueras; Maternal Grandmother Rosa Carmen Cabán Ponce; Paternal Grandparents Carmen (Cambu) Hernández Cordero and Victor Felix Hernández; her caring nurse and second mom Drucilla Gray, and her boys Bernard, Kordell, and Kenny, who have been brothers to Kathy; her sister Louren Chen, partner Daniel Chen, nephews Mateo Alfonso and Matthias Lucien Chen; brother Victor Alfonso Hernández, his partner Holly Najdzin, and nephews Elliot Alfonso Hernández and Mason Knowles; sister Pamela Melissa Hernández and her fur babies Luna and Bentley (who loved Kathy); brother Gabriel Alberto Hernández, his partner Adriana Ortega, and niece Marianna Zoeh Hernández Ortega; Tio Nelson (Acu) Rivera, Titi Giselle Chico, and cousin Andres Josue Rivera Chico; Titi Carmen Janira Colon; cousin Janisette Rivera-Rollins, her partner David Rollins, and nieces Leylahni Kinsey and Nylah Rose Rollins; cousin Carian Diaz, her partner Juan Pablo Blanco, and niece Luciana Diaz-Blanco; Titi Flor Melissa (Meli) Rivera and her partner Bill; Titi Debbie Rodriguez; cousin Jennifer Jordan, her husband Michael, and their kids Zion Jordan, Kiara Torres, Dacari Fitzgerald, Jonathan Fitzgerald, and Cameron Jordan; Titi Liz Ruperto and her kids Joalyz and Jonathan Hernández; Uncle Ramon (Tito) Hernández, his wife Hilda (Bibi) and their daughter Penelope; Uncle Daniel Hernández; and her godparents Marjorie and David Aguilar, and their sons David and Evans Aguilar.