Hermelinda de Black

Hermelinda “Linda” Arauz Gandulla de Black, 73, of Lorena Texas, retiree of Lorena ISD, went to meet Our Lord and Savior on Friday, December 25, 2020, at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center of complications related to cancer.

Hermelinda was born on April 27, 1947, to parents Santos Arauz and Adorada Gandulla of El Rosario, Penonome, Panama. Hermelinda was raised with her many brothers and sisters on a charming family farm and eventually she met the love of her life, Robert B. “Bob” Black of San Antonio, Texas. At the age of 21, the young couple married and decided to move to
United States and settled in Texas. Moving around a bit, they finally found home in idyllic Lorena where they raised their children. Hermelinda gained employment with the local ISD, where she then worked for 20 years. She was an enthusiastic fixture at the sporting events of all her children (and grandchildren) and never missed an event her family members were involved in. Hermelinda was a pillar of the community and is fondly remembered by all her colleagues and hundreds of students who passed through the halls of Lorena Elementary and Primary schools.

Hermelinda was very proud of her flower garden and spent her days sewing and doing puzzles. No one could outplay her at jacks, and delighted in her children trying. Hermelinda was also an undiscovered talent at baseball and when she came up to bat for family games, her children would collectively groan and scoot back. She attended services at Sacred Heart and in her
youth was a competitive runner and won several races. Hermelinda was a huge fan of Bond films and the Lord of the Rings, and could often be found dancing if the music was just right. But the Christmas holidays were her favorite, and her neighbors in Friendly Oaks delighted in her yearly elaborate Christmas light display. She was fond of displaying her extensive Christmas villages and figurines, and always had piles of presents for the delight of her children and grandchildren.

Hermelinda loved family more than anything else, and there is not one of her grandchildren that she did not spend ample time caring for. Hermelinda is survived by her loving husband of 53 years Bob and their son Robert and his wife Patricia and their children Marissa Cardenas and great grandchild Abel, Marlin, Robert C, and Robert D; son Howard and his wife Dawn and their children Amanda Linker Phillips and great grandchildren Emersyn and Elliot, Howard Jr, and Samantha; son Alfred and his wife Julie and their children Alaura, Avary, Aaron and Abel; daughter Linda and her husband Oliver Pettigrew and their children Tia and Ewan; and daughter Valari and her husband Benny Schroeder and children Steven Hightower Jr and Kaylie Schroeder. Hermelinda is also survived by numerous siblings, nieces, and nephews in Panama as well, and they join us in the grief of our loss and in celebrating her life.

A rosary service will be held Tuesday Dec 29th at 6p at Sacred Heart Church. Visitation will be at Waco Memorial on Wed Dec 30th from 4-6p, andfuneral services will be on Thur Dec 31st at 11a at Waco Memorial Mausoleum Chapel.  Remembrances may be made in the form desired by friends, and flowers may be sent to Waco Memorial. Bob and the family wish to recognize and extend their heartfelt thanks to the many nurses who helped Hermelinda (and countless others) feel more comfortable during her stay at the hospital.