Reina C. Tovar

Reina C. Tovar (82) of Austin Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday April 2, 2022. She is now free of all earthly ills as she has joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Reina was born on October 3, 1939 in El Paso Texas where she grew up with her parents and four sisters. She attended St. Mary’s Academy (where she met her future husband in 1st Grade) and then went on to graduate from high school at Loretto All Girls Academy. Reina graduated from the University of Texas El Paso with her degree in Elementary Education.

Reina married her dear Husband, Wencis R. Tovar on June 8, 1963. She was a lifelong educator serving children in the most impoverished areas of the city, caring for the “whole child”, way before such educational terms were coined. Reina knew full well that children must know love, peace and security to be the best learners possible. Oh, how she made a difference in the lives of so many. Reina even had the opportunity to teach internationally when she and the family moved to Den Haag Holland for her husband’s career move. She quickly adapted to a new way of teaching and even learned how to ride a bicycle as she would often take her classes on trips to nearby cities by bike. Her last year’s of teaching were spent in Lansing Kansas where she again shared her love of teaching with 2nd and 3rd grade students.

Reina’s truest of passions was loving and being surrounded by her family and friends. Her beautiful smile and infectious laughter brought the purest of joy. To know Reina was to love her and more importantly for you to know that she loved you. Reina loved to cook, sing, dance and being a lady of strong Catholic faith, she loved to pray and say the rosary.

Our Beloved Reina will always be remembered for her grace, kindness, humor, strength, and her amazing ability to light up a room. She was the sweetest of souls.

Reina will be missed by her 3 children and their spouses. Daughter Monica von Waaden and husband Mark von Waaden, son Dr. Reuben Tovar and wife Sherri Tovar, son Carlos Tovar and wife Lynne Tovar. Her 8 adoring Grandchildren Jessica Tovar, Rachel Tovar, Austin Tovar, Nicholas von Waaden, Alex von Waaden, Diego Tovar, Robert Tovar and Lucas Tovar will deeply miss their one-of-a-kind Grandma Reina.

She is preceded in death by her Husband, Wencis R. Tovar.

Services will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church 10205 FM 620 N. Austin Texas 78726. On Monday, April 11th, a Visitation 10 am, Rosary 10:25 am, Funeral Mass 11:00 am, and A Celebration of Life with luncheon to follow.

Flowers may be sent to Cook Walden Chapel of the Hills/St. Thomas More or Donations may be made to the Society of St. Vincent De Paul at P.O. Box 81511 Austin, Tx 78708/www.SSVDP.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com for the Tovar family.