Velma JoAn Hernandez

It is with mixed emotions that we share the crossing of an extraordinary mom, adoring grandmother, and proud great grandmother, Velma JoAn Duffy Hernandez. Our beautiful mother passed around 10:15am on November 3, 2026. After 3 long months she is pain free at last.

“JoAn” was born on April 26, 1936, in New Castle, PA, the first born of 4 children. “Jo” was the daughter of Paul Clayton Duffy and Harriet Lillian Hartzell. Jo had 1 sister and 2 brothers; she stayed on this earth to see 2 of them safely pass through their life's journey. She has one brother, John, that will miss his closest sister.

“Jo” was amazing, beautiful, and a powerful woman. She succeeded as a loving wife, an adoring mother, proud grandmother and a champion great grandmother.

She started early in Child Evangelism as a good new club teacher. She loved kids and telling them about the Gospel. She then became the teacher of teachers. She went on to be a Sunday School Teacher for elementary age kids. She then grew in to be a para-Chaplin at the local hospital for many years. After that she started being a care giver to the elderly as she had the gift of compassion and mercy. During all these years she volunteered at her church in the food pantry. 

“Jo” was so very loving, generous and kind. She never met a stranger and all that met her instantly loved her. She was sweet, beautiful, empathic and she loved her entire family with her whole heart.

“Jo” is mourned by many loving friends and family members. She was proceeded to Heaven by her husband Delio Hernandez, Jr. They were married for 60 years and had 2 kids a son, Don Richard and a daughter, Paula Renee. She has 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Gratefully, “Jo” is safe now in God's precious arms with all the angels and heavenly hosts. We are sure that she was met with a joyful chorus of "welcome to Heaven" by all of her loved ones who proceeded her. Let the Heavens sing "Welcome Home Jo", we are so glad that you are home!!! Jo will be sorely missed by those of us here on earth who love her with all that we are. Thank you, mom, for being so amazing.