August 2, 2019 – December 16, 2019

Leandro Andres Hernandez was born to Macario and Adrienne Hernandez on Aug. 2, 2019, at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, Washington. His first 24 hours were spent snuggling with his parents. At 1 day old he was life-flighted to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington. There it was discovered that he had several congenital heart defects. He underwent open heart surgery at only 5 days old. In spite of his successful heart repair he had complications that were due to an unknown medical condition. During his life at Sacred Heart, he repeatedly surprised his PICU family by making it through countless obstacles. He was affectionately known to them as “Leo,” their little lion. Even though he couldn’t talk he communicated best with his very expressive eyes. During his short time there, Leandro enjoyed listening to music, oral care, snuggling with his parents and story time with Daddy. After 4 1/2 months of being so strong and brave, he let us know he was tired. He passed away peacefully in his parents’ arms and surrounded by his grandparents at Sacred Heart on Dec. 16, 2019. Leandro was deeply loved and fiercely protected by his parents. He touched many lives during his short time here and God’s love truly shined through him everyday.

He is survived by his parents Macario and Adrienne Hernandez, his grandparents Juan and Sandra Hernandez and Kerry and Patti Culver, his uncles Andrew Culver and Daniel Culver, his tías Myriah (Jory) Buck and Vanessa (Brian) Whaley and his cousins Aiden Culver, Makenzy Culver, Rose Buck and Porter Buck.

We would like to thank our friends, family and work and church families. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers during this difficult journey. We would like to express our gratitude to the staff at Sacred Heart and our PICU family for their incredible and compassionate care of Leandro during his lifetime. We would also like to thank Samaritan Hospital, LifeFlight Network and Ronald McDonald House of Spokane.

A memorial service was held on Monday, Dec. 23 at Generations Church Assembly of God, with a reception that followed. Kayser’s Chapel took care of arrangements and Leandro was laid to rest at Guarding Angels Cemetery in Moses Lake, Washington.