Statement of Life

Mathias Javier Striar Hernández had a smile and an energy that lit up the room, and he brightened our lives for the 18 years he was with us. Courageous, strong and bright, kind, thoughtful and sensitive, Mathias knew he was deeply loved. He loved deeply right back, especially his parents, Siri Striar and Francisco Hernández. He passed away on Wednesday October 28th, 2020.  

 

Mathias was curious and engaged by the many strands of his identity: the Salvadoran, Norwegian and Jewish. He was especially proud of his Salvadoran roots.  He and his family enjoyed many summers in Yucuaiquin, Skarnes, Knatten, Breivika and Oslo. He is beloved by a multitude of cousins and other family in those places and in the US. 

 

He loved his brother Emilio and his many creatures, and was awed by his knowledge about them. He found pleasure in the Red Sox, in making ceramics and jewelry, in playing guitar and especially in cooking healthy food that his family and his girlfriend Lucy enjoyed. He played a mean game of scrabble, with a particular enthusiasm for beating his aunt and his Zadie with obscure, somewhat questionable two and three-letter words. Mathias took his studies very seriously, and was cherished by so many of his teachers. From pre-school through high school, from little league to Fisher Beach and beyond, he won the hearts of those who came to know him.

 

Mathias loved to laugh, and had a giggle that you just wanted to hear. He was very ticklish, so that was always a possibility. From when he was a baby, he had a mischievous twinkle and a sense of fun. We all have good memories of laughing with Mathias and of hearing him giggling to himself. 

 

Racism, xenophobia, discrimination, inequality, and insensitivity in this world pained Mathias. He identified these unfortunate elements as soon as he saw them and they affected him deeply, especially when they were directed towards people who were defenseless, like George Floyd and children put in cages at the southern border. He understood that he had resources and opportunities that others did not, and he did not feel that that was just.

 

Mental illness is treatable for many and can unfortunately be fatal for some. Mathias worked diligently and consistently to overcome his illness, most intensively over the past two years. He was aware and saddened that other adolescents battled similar challenges, and he was grateful that he was able to receive adequate mental health treatment. He wrote his college essay about his desire to pursue a career that would help address the crisis in adolescent mental illness. We were in awe of how hard he tried every possible avenue and approach to improve both his physical health and his mental health.

 

Mathias was especially proud of his parents’ work within the immigrant community, particularly with undocumented students and their families. He communicated this from a very early age, and his conviction deepened over time.  If you would like to give in memory of Mathias’s life, KIND (Kids In Need of Defense) is doing invaluable work in this area. 

 

We will honor Mathias and celebrate his life when we can once again gather. In the meantime, we, his family, will try to live as he expected us to: by continuing to celebrate with family and friends, by strengthening our commitment to our communities and by focusing on the infinite memories we have of him, memories that make us smile and which make us better people.