Erika Hernandez Padilla, 36, was reunited with our heavenly father on April 20, 2018 surrounded by her loving family and husband. Her devotion to her family and belief in God, brought her peace and comfort in her last days.
Erika was born on May 30, 1981 in Ventura, California to Consuelo and Manuel Hernandez. She grew up in Ventura. She graduated from Ventura High School in 1999, where she was involved in Pageantry. She attended California State University Northridge where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development. She was a founding mother of Lambda Sigma Gamma sorority, CSUN chapter and was instrumental in the growth of the chapter. Through her commitment to academic achievement and philanthropy she developed close bonds with her sorority sisters that made her college years an important time in her life. After graduating from CSUN, she moved back home and worked at Bright Horizons.
Erika had a creative spirit and would gift others with personalized family calendars, New Year's Eve cards, and personalized gifts for every holiday or special moment. Her favorite holiday was Halloween and every year would derive the best "couples costume."
In 2012 she met her future husband, Tommy Padilla. He immediately fell in love with her sense of humor, candor, and loving nature. On October 15, 2015, one of her many dreams came true; she and Tommy were married at the San Buenaventura Mission. They vowed to keep God at the center of their marriage, love intensely, and be there for one another. On February 1, 2017, Tommy and Erika were blessed with a baby girl; Viviana Irene Padilla, fulfilling a second dream. Shortly thereafter, they bought a beautiful house in which Erika immediately turned into their home. She spent her days caring for her daughter and spent weekends with family and friends with Viviana always by their side. She never missed a party because she always wanted to be there for everyone. After meeting Tommy, she became an avid sports fan attending Raiders, Lakers, Kings, and Dodger games and just this past March, took a family vacation to Arizona to cheer on the Dodgers during spring training.
She is survived by her loving husband, Tommy Padilla and daughter Viviana; step-daughter Marissa Mercado; stepson-in-law Alex Mercado; her parents Manuel and Consuelo Hernandez; brother, Manuel Hernandez Jr.; sisters Norma Hernandez and Jakeline Cortez; brother-in-law Jonni Cortez; grandmothers Irene Hernandez and Senorina Zavala; mother- in-law Cynthia Padilla; brother and sister-in-law, Todd and Chrissy Schieferle; nephews, Jovanni Cortez and Jared Schieferle; nieces, Desirae Perez and Ariana Schieferle. She will also be greatly missed by her loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her grandfather, David Zavala and aunt, Ana Maria Zavala.
Erika will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her spirit will continue to live within all of our hearts and through her beautiful daughter who now has her own guardian angel.
A Most Holy Rosary will be recited at 10:00 am on Friday, April 27, 2018 in the San Buenaventura Mission, 211 E Main St, Ventura. A Mass of Christian Burial will directly follow the Rosary in the Mission, followed by a graveside service at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street Ventura.