Emily Woodward Hernandez

Caroline, Blake and Abbey,
I am so sorry that I was unable to attend your mom's service. I wanted to let you know that I think of her, and the three of you, often and my heart is with you. Your mom was a lovely person, wonderful neighbor and friend to me and obviously a fantastic mother. I have always held her in the highest esteem even though our paths had not crossed in many years. You were raised by an amazing mother and will carry her grace and love with you always. I wish you strength and peace as you take one day at a time to heal.

Emily was my very first friend at UCSD when I joined the Development team in 2010. She was incredibly warm and unassuming, and we became fast friends in addition to being great colleagues. UCSD events and conferences were always more fun with Emily involved! Both of us parents of three children, we were able to share parenting tips and Emily was incredibly supportive as I went through a very difficult time in my personal life. As sisters in Christ, we would pray for one another and be a support in challenging times. Emily was an angel on this earth and will continue to be one forever above us. Taken far too soon, she will always be remembered with great love.

Emily and I were colleagues at Scripps Health Foundation-we met at a planned giving conference on my third day. My head was swirling with so much new information and Emily took time to sit with me, ask questions and offer to help me get settled. She was off the next day to go visit her daughter in Colorado— it was clear from our conversations that day how much her kids meant to her and how proud she was of each of them. She was always kind and thinking of others. Eventually we sat in the same building, down the hall from one another- I had a Keurig machine in my office and Emily would wander by to fill her coffee cup— we shared a mutual love for coffee and need for caffeine. I looked forward to those visits and chats. I remember saying goodbye to her on my last day at Scripps- we shared a big hug. She mentioned she knew someone at the school where I now work. On my first day touring campus, new again, and a bit overwhelmed, I met Renee Bertken, our school nurse, who was Emily’s longtime friend and in her bible study. Renee greeted me warmly and said Emily had told her about me and I just smiled thinking of such a lovely person as Emily, always looking out for others — in big and small ways. I will remember her kindness always, her smile, and miss her, like so many others.

Emily, forever in our hearts, always in our thoughts. This photo reminds me of how happy I was the day she married my brother. I was blessed and honored to have gained such a lovely sister-in-law

I was so saddened to hear about Emily. I knew Emily in elementary school. We used to play together all the time. I remember going to her house in Old Field and playing outside. We had lots of memories together. Once we walked on the Long Island sound by her house when it had frozen over. We also went to the Stony Brook school together as one of the original 30 girls. She was such a good friend. We lost contact when she moved to California and my husband and I had the opportunity to go and visit her at her home in San Diego when he was on a business trip. I have a picture of us which I am going to try to find and add it to this memory. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. Emily was always so soft spoken and gentle.

It has been a blessing to have shared life with Emily for the past 26 years. The first 20 years as part of the Prayer Group, and for the past 6 years celebrating each season of the year by having dinner with her & Rechelle at Seasons 52. I will cherish all the time we spent together over the years. Throughout this time, I have known Emily to be a kind, generous, faithful & loving friend.

Caroline, Blake & Abby ~ Know that she spoke so lovingly of you! Her eyes would light up just speaking your names & it was obvious that she was so extremely proud of each of you.

May you each know the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Philippians 4:7

We enjoyed worshiping with Emily for many years. Her joy was always in her children and every time we spoke on the patio after a service, she beamed when she spoke of her family. She was truly a faithful follower of Christ and will be missed by everyone. - Rodney and Leah Jackson

Emily was taken from us so soon. It’s hard to express my sense of loss for a friend so dear. She will be deeply missed in our small group, a tight-knit group of women doing life together for so many years. We journeyed together in faith, shared precious memories, celebrated joys, and shouldered each other’s burdens. Emily embodied the character of Christ and walked with grace through life’s struggles. She was a sweet soul who radiated hope and compassion. Instead of “navel gazing”, as she called it, her gaze was upward and outward.

Emily was a beautiful, tenderhearted friend who splashed light wherever she went. She had an especially deep love for her children, who brought her such joy – those we hold so close to our hearts right now. Her gentle loving presence touched my life in immeasurable ways and was a blessing to many far and wide.

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

Beloved Emily, your footprints are forever imprinted on our hearts. 💕 I miss you, dear friend!

It’s a mystery (and a miracle) how the heart can hold both grief and gratitude at the same time, and I am overwhelmed with both. Deep grief at the gaping hole in my life and in this world with Emily’s sudden absence. And deep gratitude for the precious gift she was and how blessed I am to call her one of my dearest friends.

Emily knew the joy of the Lord and he was her strength. She lived and moved from a deep place of knowing, trusting and resting in Jesus. No matter her circumstances. And that confident peace and joy filled her and overflowed into the people around her. It was contagious. Words like kind, joyful, hopeful, generous, compassionate and sacrificial characterize her- she simply radiated God’s love and light wherever she was.

For almost 30 years she was my dear and treasured friend, my sister in faith, and a trusted and soft place to land as there was never any judgment with Emily, only love. She loved faithfully, fully and fiercely, especially her three beautiful children. My life has been changed in significant ways through my friendship with Emily. May we all live a little kinder and gentler, with hope and joy, as she did.

I miss you, sweet friend.

Words alone seem so inadequate to cover all the beautiful traits and memories of my very dear friend, Emily Woodward Hernandez. She was one of the first people I met after moving to Southern California in the mid-1990s. Her heart was always so pure and sweet. She would often put the needs of others above herself.

Our friendship grew with our children, church, playgroups, MOPS, Bible studies, weekly walks, holiday meals, annual girls trips to Balboa Island, birthday dinners — just to name a few. We went through good times and challenging times together. Her faith in Jesus was remarkable. We had so may conversations about trusting God through it all.

While I remain heartbroken by Emily’s sudden passing, I find solace knowing she is in heaven with Jesus. I pray for her beautiful children whom she loved more than anything — her true pride and joy on this side of heaven. Emily made a remarkable impact on others, and it’s notable to share that across many friendship groups her life was centered on peace, love, and joy. What a beautiful legacy for this special child of God. I miss you my dear friend.

Love,
Cherie Kampfer

I am deeply saddened to hear of Emily's tragic, unexpected passing. Our paths crossed when my kids attended Santa Fe Christian HS. Our paths crossed again when I ran into her at work at Scripps. Then, I found out she had befriended my Mom who lives at La Costa Glen through her work for Scripps Foundation. My mom and I were both deeply attached to her, even though our encounters were brief. She was gifted in living out kindness and warmth, connecting, and authentically, nice. I am deeply sorry for her beautiful young adult children to loose their amazing mom. I will keep them in my prayers for peace and strength.

I remember the day I met Emily like it was yesterday. It was late spring 1997 and our church playgroup was gathered at MacPherson Park in Encinitas. My playgroup friends were holding a baby shower for me (due in July with my 2nd) when Emily walked up with kids in tow. She introduced herself, Caroline (4), and Blake (just turned 2), and explained that they had just recently moved to the area. Emily joined our playgroup that day and our bond of friendship began. The kids became buddies, the moms became close friends and eventually the dads as well. A bond between five families was formed that continues to this day. When our family moved to Ventura in 2005, those four families came to visit us at our new home and we had 15 children between us!

No longer local, my interactions with Emily became less frequent, but all the more deep. In 2006 we five ladies met for a reunion at a tiny beach house (built in 1937) at Balboa Island. We shared our true selves - our hearts' desires, greatest concerns, personal trials, joys and praises - with our trusted sisters in Christ. We laughed and cried with either wine or coffee in hand, often late into the night. We have continued to meet at that same house every year since, with the exception of COVID. We had just picked the date for our spring 2025 reunion only 3 days before Emily's passing. When my 50th birthday rolled around, I knew whom I wanted to spend it with - Emily and friends came to Ventura and we went wine tasting by limousine. Adorned with a pink feather boa, sash and tiara, I spent the day with my besties acting like a schoolgirl! Some of my favorite memories in my life, including our son's wedding - she was there. My most recent memories with Emily have been at bridal showers and weddings. The 1 year-old kids we watched play in the sand at the park, we now watch say their wedding vows. So many memories and so much history.

Emily was the Fruit of the Spirit personified. She truly exemplified love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I know she is with our Lord and I am comforted in knowing that we will be together again. Until then, she will be gravely missed.

I had the pleasure and privilege of staying with Emily for a couple of days in 2020 while on a road trip through California. It was my first time meeting her, and I knew she was in the middle of a very hard season. I really didn’t know what to expect when I showed up at her door. The woman who greeted me was by far the most happy, loving, kind, and positive person I’ve ever met. As we spent the next few days together I came to see and know her as the most beautiful image of Godly joy and love. Her attitude and her faith were contagious from the start, and she spoke with such poise and grace that I felt the Holy Spirit nearly bursting out of her. She quickly became a friend I did not want to say goodbye to. Every interaction with Emily since has reaffirmed the same; she was a slice of heaven on earth. To think that we will have to wait so long to feel her warmth and love again is unimaginable, but I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to know her. She encouraged me in my faith in ways I didn’t know I needed, and was a beautiful example of what it looks like to choose joy and to love others above all else.

Our lives are enriched by the people God allows us to cross paths and do life with, and Sweet Emily, her universally given name by our group members & those who knew her, will forever be a living light to us of God's Grace and Beauty through the kind soul she was. Our lives are seasoned with valleys and tough journeys and she was a constant reminder and inspiration to choose the higher road of kind words, patience and hope in others because of her hope and faith in Jesus. Her faith was evident not just in word but in deed as well. She served so many: her family, friends, her church, her colleagues and so many people she touched through her incredible work with Scripps Hospital. I'm convinced she was the closest person to a living angel. I will miss her smile and laugh and good nature to go with the flow & have a good time. She was fun and most welcomed company, each and every time. It's hard to face the fact that I won't see my friend for such a long time, but comforting to know while we wait to embrace and laugh again, she'll be singing and enjoying symphonies of harmonic glory in heaven after not being able to hear music for so long, and that brings a smile to my heart. Sing boldly Sweet Emily, I look forward to joining in choir with you one day.

Over the past several years, I was privileged to walk alongside Emily through some pretty dark valleys. She never whined or sunk into self pity, nor did I ever hear an unkind word uttered. She was kindness and resilience personified.

Emily, you will be sorely missed. Wednesday small-group nights will never be the same. Thank you for sharing yourself with us, for being joy in the midst of hard times, for artfully steering conversations in a positive direction, and for sharing your faith so authentically with us.

Your radiance cast warmth on everyone you knew, and you will never be forgotten.

Your heartbroken friend,
Amy