Kudra Hernandez

Kudra Aida Francis Hernandez passed away unexpectedly on October 6, 2023. Born in Puerto
Vallarta, Mexico on July 2, 2001, at 8:35pm during the night of the first summer monsoon,
Kudra was a feisty and curious human. She moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she spent
several years of her youth prior to living in Denver, Colorado, before landing in Santa Fe, New
Mexico at the age of 9, where she spent the rest of her life. Kudra was a phenomenal creator,
artist, dancer, vocalist, and poet who formerly attended New Mexico School of the Arts. She was
known for her contagious laugh, wit, humor, warmth, generosity, honesty, and her giving heart.
Kudra loved nature, trees, crows, butterflies, clouds, astrology, tarot, music, reading, the Steelers,
animals, and she adored The Office and New Girl. She was a loyal friend, loving daughter and
sibling, and generous spirit. Kudra gave more to this world than she received, and we will miss
her smile, singsong voice, and sense of humor. She was bravely navigating recovery when she
left us at the age of 22. The family thanks Santa Fe Recovery for the support and love they gave
Kudra during the past year and for the time this gave us to reunite.
She is survived by her proud mother, Holly R. Lovejoy; fathers Marcos Hernandez Ham and
Devin James Baldwin; stepmother Karen Baldwin; twin brother Jacob Hernandez; younger
brother Coltrane Baldwin; younger sister Cecelia Baldwin; her maternal grandparents Charles
and Marsha Tongel; paternal grandmother Maria Luisa Ham Carillo; her aunts Alicia Baxendell,
Sarah Irish, and Luisa Adriana Hernandez Ham; and her favorite dog, Calla.
As Halloween was Kudra’s favorite holiday, a celebration of life will be held in Santa Fe for her
from 12:30PM-2:00PM at Santa Fe Funerals and Cremations (1091 A. Siler Road) on October
31, 2023, with a reception to follow at Capital Coal Neighborhood Eatery (326 S. Guadalupe
Street).
Please do not come attired in funeral dress. Costumes welcome and encouraged. Kudra
especially loved A Nightmare Before Christmas. All are welcome, with opportunity for both
family and friends to share remembrances and say goodbye. In honor of Kudra’s recovery
journey, this will be a sober celebration.
To honor Kudra’s Mexican heritage, we will be creating an altar in the days to follow for Dia de
Los Muertos. We will collect small remembrances at her celebration (photos, notes, tokens) from
her friends and community to place on her altar, if you feel inclined to contribute.
For those outside of Santa Fe, the celebration will be accessible via zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83365740950?pwd=L4Uugn6WxgjhH7dvTYnEbHY6pEkDod.1
Meeting ID: 833 6574 0950
Password: 349035
A second celebration will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in early November, details
forthcoming.
The family has asked for contributions to assist with giving Kudra the celebrations she deserves
in both communities she called home: https://gofund.me/94335ebb