Trinidad (Trini) Hernandez Gamez, 93, formerly of Hereford, Texas, passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Plano, Texas. Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home Chapel in Hereford, Texas, at 1:00 PM. Burial to follow at West Park Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, March 24, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home.

Trini was born in Yorktown, Texas to Luz and Roberto Hernandez on May 1, 1929. She married Refugio P. Gamez in 1946.  The family then moved from San Antonio to Hereford.

Those who knew Trini describe her as "unconventional", hardworking, self-motivated, caring, "easy to talk to", and a community leader. The way Trini reacted to life's challenges served as an inspiration to women, teaching them by example to be strong and stand up for themselves in a society that wasn't quite ready for that.

Over the course of her life, she wore many hats including grain hauler driver for her father-in-law when it was unheard of for a woman to do so. Later Trini completed an Associate's degree and became a Teacher's Aide. This path led to an opportunity for her to work with local Legal Services and act on her motivation to become a Paralegal. "Su Voto Es Su Voz" and "Si Se Puede" were phrases she lived by and shared with all. The National Legal Aid and Defender Association presented her with the Dennison Ray Award in Washington DC in recognition of her tireless efforts to secure the freedoms that all in our community were promised.

Trini's passion for helping others was evident in all that she did both on and off the job. For many, her ability to be a good listener and give comfort was most cherished as a mother to not only her nine children, but a second mother to grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends of her children. She taught us all that just because you were a girl, that didn't mean you couldn't play sports and just because you were a boy, that didn't mean you couldn't learn to cook and clean.

She opened her heart and her home to anyone that needed help. It was not uncommon for school Band Directors along with friends to be found at our family table looking forward to Trini's comida. During our school years, two or three of us would simultaneously volunteer Trini for the role of "room mother" because we just knew she could do it all.

https://crbb.tcu.edu/interviews/131/interview-with-trini-gamez

Trini was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, her husband and her daughter Alma Delia Gamez.  She is survived by eight children, nineteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, two sisters, one brother and a fantastic extended family.

In lieu of flowers, at Mom's request, please donate to MALDEF, Democracy Docket, RAICES or a charity of your choice.

Reception following the service will be at the Villareal Renovations building, 226 N. Main St.