Paula Hidalgo

Paula Hidalgo of Bay City, Michigan, formerly of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Carriage House Nursing and Rehab Center in Bay City. She was 88 years old. Paula Hernandez was born on May 8, 1935, in Hondo, Texas, to the late Pedro and Theodora (Moncada) Hernandez. She attended the Saginaw Public Schools and later in life proudly enrolled in the Saginaw Business Institute to study business administration. As a young woman, Paula worked as a nurse's aide at St. Mary's Hospital. The role of her lifetime, and one she treasured and cherished, was when she became a mother. She lovingly dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren. Paula then began working as a nurse's aide with Sun Valley Nursing Home and retiring after many years of loyal and dedicated service. She was raised within the Catholic Faith and attended St. James Catholic Church in Bay City. Paula was a woman of great strength and energy and was affectionately known by her family as the "energizer bunny". She loved to dance, especially to Mexican, Oldies, Motown, and Country music. Throughout her entire life, Paula's spirit embodied grace, style, rhythm, humor, and the stamina needed to dance. Her little piece of heaven was using her artistic ability, sewing skills, and knowledge of crafts to create and design heartfelt gifts for all she loved. Paula also enjoyed antiquing, flea markets, browsing for the latest and greatest at craft stores, and playing Bingo. She will forever be remembered for her bravery in all she undertook, for remaining a timeless and classic woman, and for taking on the role as the family advisor, often giving excellent advice and speaking up for those that needed help. Above all she treasured and cherished her family. Paula truly lived an amazing life filled with many beautiful memories and stories.

Surviving are six daughters: Paula Cortez of Bay City; Jaime (James) Chinnery of Bridgeport; Laura Martinez of Holland; Debra Hidalgo of Saginaw; Lisa Hernandez of Bay City; and April (Jeff) North of Midland. Also surviving are many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by two sons: Juan Cortez and Chris Hidalgo; a grandson, Alonzo Frankie Martinez; parents, Pedro and Theodora Hernandez; and siblings: Socorro Hernandez, Ramona (Hernandez) Garcia, Candalaria (Hernandez) Villareal, and Mary Hernandez.

A Funeral Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at the W. L. Case & Company, 4480 Mackinaw Road. Rev. Fr. Francis Voris, OFM Cap will officiate. Honoring Paula's wishes, cremation will follow the service. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral chapel on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.