Lucy M. Cortez

Lucy Mary Cortez, of Hanford, formerly from Corcoran passed peacefully from this life on March 3, 2026, at home with her family by her side. She was born May 2, 1931, in Kings County, California to Paul and Geronima Paredes. Lucy graduated from Corcoran High School in 1950.  She married Raymond “Corky” Cortez in 1953.  Lucy and Corky had two children, Robert and Russell Cortez.

Lucy worked for the Corcoran Unified School District for 34 years from 1968-2002 before retiring. In her retirement she loved to spend time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces Angelica and Gabrielle Salgado. She also loved a good shopping trip to Hobby Lobby.  What brought her the most joy was simply being around family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, her son Russell, her brothers Tito, Stanley, Isidro, Paul, Daniel and her sister Anita “Annie” Paredes. She is survived by her son Robert, her five grandchildren Paul Cortez, Stacy Cantu, Phillip Cortez, Christina Cortez, and Hannah Smith.  She leaves behind four great-grandchildren, Merissa Cantu, Paul Cortez Jr, Brodie Worth and Liliana Cortez. Lucy is also survived by her sister Betty Tokanaga and her brother Jimmy Wright.  

Visitation for Lucy will be March 10, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00pm at Whitehurst-McNamara Funeral Home, 100 W. Bush St, Hanford, CA with a Rosary beginning at 6pm.  Funeral Mass will be held on March 11, 2026, 10:00am at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Hanford.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 11680 S 10th Ave, Hanford, CA.   

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