Nancy Abarca-Hernandez

Nancy Abarca-Hernandez passed away on March 15, 2026, after a courageous battle with leukemia, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on December 31, 1950, in Santiago, Chile, she immigrated to Rochester, New York, in 1977, where she met her husband on her very first day in the United States. She and Humberto built a loving family and life together in Rochester with their two daughters.

Predeceased by her parents, Victor and Ana Abarca, Nancy is survived by her devoted husband, Humberto; their daughters, Michelle (Anthony) Tomasula and Claudia (Robert) De Leon; three grandchildren, Noah and Alex Tomasula and Javier De Leon; and her three siblings, Gustavo (Carmen) Abarca, Ana Maria (Guillermo) Astudillo, and Victor (Norma) Abarca. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews: Pablo, Christian, Will, Evelyn, Christopher, Carolina, and Andrew.

Nancy dedicated herself to serving others through various community roles supporting youth, immigrant workers, and underserved populations. She taught Spanish to professionals in law enforcement, medicine, and business, becoming a valued mentor to many. Her compassion, kind heart, and generous spirit touched countless lives. A talented cook, gardener, and lover of fashion, she brought beauty and style to everything she did and remained active throughout her life. She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend—an extraordinary woman who will be deeply missed.