Carolina Reyes

August 20, 1947 -September 12, 2021

The world lost a bright light on Sunday, September 12, 2021, our loving wife, mother and sister, passed away after battling liver disease for 28 years. She was surrounded by her three children and loving husband of 52 years. Carolina Reyes was born on August 20th, 1947 in El Paso, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor Gaytan, Sr. and Lydia Munoz Gaytan. She is survived by her husband, Silvestre Reyes, her three children, Dr. Monica Reyes, Becky Reyes-Lopez and Silvestre Reyes, Jr., her 6 grandchildren, Jaqueline Garcia-Reyes, Francisco Garcia- Reyes, Amelia Reyes, Mateo Reyes, Julian Garcia, Orlando Garcia and her 2 great-grandchildren Zanaya Reyes and Shiloh Mullen-Reyes. Carolina is the oldest of 8 children and is also survived by her siblings, Victor Gaytan, Jr., Alicia Flores, Gloria Widas, Arturo Gaytan, Patricia De Luna, Daniel Gaytan and Linda Sarabia, along with so many nieces and nephews.

Carolina’s greatest legacy is her family and was called “mom” and “grandma” by so many of us because the only way she knew how to love was unconditionally. If you ever met her, you loved her instantly. She made friends in countless meetings, on elevators and flights, and never hesitated to give strangers compliments. She only said nice things because that was all that was in her heart. She loved music and often danced around her living room with her husband, children and grandchildren. She was effortlessly funny and her laughter could light up a room. Carolina Reyes was also strong and a fighter, she battled liver disease for 28 years and never let it stop her from being there for our community and family. She fought until the end for her husband, her children and grandchildren. She was blessed with amazing doctors and nurses, especially Dr. Vinay Patel, Dr. Michael DeLuca, Dr. Andres Enriquez, Dr. Alan and Norma Carpenter, Dr. Louis Alpern and Dr. Anchondo and all their staffs. Our family gives a special thanks to everyone that cared for her over the years.

Carolina Reyes was also a leader, an ambassador of love and compassion around the world visiting with our military personnel and their families in remote and faraway locations, war zones and foreign countries. This amazing woman spread grace and love to everyone in her path. She was the First and only Latina elected President of the Congressional Club in Washington, D.C. and hosted First Ladies, Supreme Court Justices and both nationally and internationally renowned poets, artists and entertainers. Carolina never saw titles, just people. She would meet people and always invited them to her home in El Paso, Texas. Carolina was proud of her community and bragged about it to all that would listen.

Caro, as she was called by those who knew her best, was the type of friend that would listen and never show up to your house empty handed. She was famous for her homemade “Red Velvet Cake” and potato salad. She never hesitated to try new recipes and often passed these recipes to her daughters and sisters. She was an excellent cook and made the best “Cream of Wheat” for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a wonderful hostess and loved throwing parties for 4 or for 400 people and loved to plan every detail. Her house always hosted her family and friends for big and small events, whether it was a wedding, a bunco Halloween Costume Party or a Star Wars baby shower. Whatever the occasion, Caro enlisted her husband and kids to help her make centerpieces, fold complicated origami napkins, build thrones or any other crazy idea she found in a book or on the internet just to make the party more special. Carolina was one of a kind and had a blessed life with the love of her life, Silvestre Reyes. In their over 54 years together, they built a strong family with traditions that will live on. That is her legacy and her gift to the world.

“God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put his arms around you, and whispered Come with Me.” – Rhonda Braswell

Visitation will be Monday, September 20, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at St. Patrick Cathedral. Rite of Committal will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. As a reminder Fort Bliss National Cemetery is observing a policy of face covering for all in attendance.

In lieu of flowers, the Reyes Family requests that donations be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org or to St. Patrick Cathedral of El Paso.

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