In Honor and Loving Memory of Tina Hurtado

In honor and loving memory of my sister Tina Hurtado Mendoza I announce the release of my book, A Love Letter to the Ladies: A Single Christian Man’s Perspective on July 7, 2018. The date is the two-year anniversary when she went to be in the presence of the Lord. Below are some brief descriptions of Tina Hurtado. Her thirty years as a daughter and sister were not lived in vain. She left her legacy with us and will forever be remembered.

Her mother Terri states, “How can I describe my Tina? She was caring, beautiful inside and out, and I’m proud of the accomplishments she made in career at Bashas’. She was confident, loving and protective of her family, pets and friends. She loved the outdoors and was athletic. She was responsible and if someone ever needed a helping hand she was there to help.”

Her twin sister Star shares, “Tina was a kind-hearted person who put the needs of others ahead of her own. She had a big smile that was so contagious all you could do was smile back at her. She was a hard worker who worked for everything she owned or wanted for herself or her family! Her pets were the light in her life, she loved and adored them so much. Lastly, Tina was my best friend. She was very special to me.”

Her big sister, Teresita states, “Tina was determined to accomplish goals that she set for herself. Her love language was Acts of Service. When she was a student at Maryvale High School, she demonstrated this love by selflessly giving up her lunch hour to help feed and transport students with disabilities around campus. She also served as a teachers aide in the special education department. Also, she loyally demonstrated service to her family, friends, and even strangers. She was a baby whisperer to her niece and other children she knew!”

Her big and only brother, T.J says, “Tina was a passionate person who was loyal and committed to those she loved. She would go out of her way to help others whenever needed. She loved to laugh and even laugh at herself. Her laugh was so contagious that after hearing it, you would end up laughing yourself! She was a person of deep faith in Jesus Christ and took her relationship with Him very personally.”

Early in the morning on July 7, 2016, we lost Tina in a fatal car accident a block away from her family home in Maryvale. Unfortunately, she was not wearing her seatbelt. This was a hard truth we learned and we encourage all people to remember to always fasten your seatbelt. Do not hold resentment and forgive your loved ones. Never forget to say I love you to those dear to your heart. No one is guaranteed to see tomorrow. Do your best to always keep your heart, mind and daily life with Father God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit at the center.

Tina is waiting in heaven for her family to join her as they complete the number of days God has planned for each of them. She was the youngest child to a single mother of four. She is survived by her twin sister who was born one minute before her, an older sister who is seven years older and a brother who is nine years older than her. She never knew her father. Initially, her mother considered giving her and her twin up for adoption. But her brother T.J. and older sister Teresita convinced their mother to keep the twins and told their mother that they would help her raise their twin sisters. Tina struggled a bit with her identity like most people who grew up as a child without having a positive father figure in her life. Even though she experienced many obstacles she was a fighter. She started her personal relationship with her Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ at the age of ten. This book is being published in her honor and loving memory. Being her brother and roommate, I was able to witness her personal spiritual growth as she drew closer to her Abba, Father through Jesus Christ in the last ten months of her life. Jesus, please let Tina know I love her and look forward to being reunited with her in eternal glorious presence of our holy and loving Father!