Emma Hernandez Rimando

Emma Hernandez Rimando is remembered as an elegant and strong woman. She is also a much-beloved mother, Lola/grandma, sister, ninang (godmother), tita (aunt), nurse and co-worker, and friend. She was called home to the Lord on June 27, 2024. 

Born in 1939 in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan, Philippines, Emma was the eldest daughter of seven siblings, and attended nursing school at San Juan de Dios, before coming to the US as part of a nursing exchange at the time. She met her husband, Rodrigo “Rudy” V. Rimando, Sr. here, and they married in New Jersey in 1963. Following Rudy’s station assignments for the Navy, Emma and Rudy raised their two sons, Rodrigo Jr. and Rex in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Canal Zone, Panama. They eventually relocated to Charleston, South Carolina where their daughter, Rosannette, was born, and where they put down roots and made many friendships that were maintained to this day, 

Throughout this time, Emma worked as a Critical Care and Intensive Care Unit nurse primarily in Veterans Administration hospitals. It was in these ICU wards she earned a reputation as a highly capable nurse, and throughout her career was remembered as a mentor to many younger nurses who followed her, and a highly skilled partner to doctors in open heart surgery and other operating rooms. She was so dedicated to nursing, that she had to retire twice before it finally “stuck.” 

Emma was preceded in death in 2022 by her husband of 58 years, Rudy Rimando. The pair were known for their graceful dance moves at events. She is survived by her children Rodrigo Jr. (wife Melissa), Rex, and Rosannette (husband Michael Chareunsap). And she was a loving grandma and Lola to Ryan and Craig Rimando (Patricia), and Rodrigo and Bibiana Chareunsap, as well as Xol and Landero Holigores. She was also known as Lola Mama to her first great-grandbaby, Mateo (Craig & Patricia).

She is also survived by her siblings, Armando Hernandez, Monina Hernandez, Norma Estrabillo, and Edna Bautista, as well as her many nieces and nephews. She is also preceded in death by her father Bonifacio Hernandez, mother Maria Hernandez, brother Nestor Hernandez, Sr., and sister Bonaida Figues.

Emma Rimando will be honored at a funeral mass on Friday, 08/16/2024 at 11 am at St. Cecilia Catholic Church (1310 Madison Ave N, Bainbridge Is.). A Celebration of Life will follow at the Filipino American Community Hall nearby. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Emma’s name to the Filipino American Community of BI and Vicinity, a 501(c)3 nonprofit through this link: https://onecallforall.org/filipino-american-community-of-bainbridge-island-vicinity/.

 Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA