Josie had a wonderful way about her that made you feel so comfortable in her home. She had hugs & smiles for you. She made many dresses for me when I was directing choir. And she made Lori's prom dress. It was gorgeous. She was an awesome seamstress & cook! She will be missed. My love & prayers go out to you, her family & friends. I had the privilege to visit both your folks when they lived in the Courtyard. So many fond memories.

I knew Josie( we all called her Mama) when she was at the Rehab center in Colfax. I could never understand what she said but just seeing the radiant smile on her face was enough to tell you that she must have been thinking of something very special!! I know I will miss seeing her every day.

Josephine was my grandma's nearest neighbor, and it seemed like she was always sharing something with our family... Sharing huge jars of black beans for us to take home to Spokane (no matter how big the jar, it was never big enough for me!). Sharing Joey, who'd run across the road to play with us kids. Sharing her language, when I was studying Spanish -- although as slowly and patiently as she spoke, it was no comprendo for me! And sharing her talents, sending beautiful handmade blankets for each of my babies. 

Our family is so grateful for all that your mom gave us, and we're praying that her life and faith will comfort you today.

Grandma Josie had more names than anyone I know.  My children called her Abuela and they all loved to visit her and Fidel.  She had a big heart and loved to give of her time and talents to all her neighbors.  And that included everyone.  My children learned to understand her accent and enjoyed her gifts of food and sewing projects and especially her hugs.  If she couldn't pronounce your name, she made up one.  When my youngest was born, I think she was as excited as we were, and she was thrilled with his red hair.   She called him Pelirojo.  There was always such a light about Josie.  She worked hard her whole life, but instead of looking like she had, she just acted like life was a joy.  That's how I always felt when I was around her.

Whether it was me being yelled at for playing in the flower bed and garden or fidgeting while being fitted for a dress, Josie was more than just my neighbor, she was my "grandma." I loved every moment I got to spend at Grandma and Papa's and all the things they did with my brothers and I. I have numerous memories to remember grandma by. I will always be her nina!

I have so many fond memories of the Reyes family. I can still remember the smell of your home....Picking fruit and baking with your mom....her sewing me knickers with matching vests for school....feeding the cows with your dad and what he taught me during those moments...I was happy to be able to see them both a few years back....such warm, loving, giving people. They left a mark on me and so many others. They will truly be missed and never forgotten. Sending my love and prayers to your family always!!

She and her family were our nearest neighbors for many years at our Colfax farm. As such, there are many warm memories, as she always was so gracious, so loving, so eager to show us kindness in any way that she could. She was grateful to be in America, grateful to have her family with her, and grateful to have neighbors who obviously appreciated her. But it was impossible to NOT appreciate her, as she gave of herself so readily, and with such a considerate nature. If any favor was asked of her, never would she turn it down. Consequently, there are a myriad of loving memories. But probably my favorite (other than getting to know her kids, who were close to my own age) was the first time she had us come to her place for dinner, which included her incredible Cuban black beans. Never had I tasted beans like that; they looked so boringly plain, and they tasted so surprisingly succulent. After that, I always wanted her black beans if there was any suggestion of sharing dinner (and many times she prepared some and sent them down the road for us). We could not have asked for a more considerate neighbor. I miss those days on the farm, and I miss her (and her black beans!)

Well, I promised myself I wouldn't make this read like a menu, but as those of you who know Grandma Fina well will likely understand, it is difficult to separate memories of her from memories of food.  Her obvious joy at gardening seemed to be rivaled only by the happiness she felt while in the kitchen and feeding her family.  I remember the smells wafting from the kitchen while playing Piggly Wiggly in the living room; the summer barbecues where the corn fritters were passed around lovingly; eating rice and tuna at the kitchen table (yes, just white rice mixed with a can of tuna fish, but fantastic nonetheless) while she scolded Grandpa for "eating" the grandkids with a fork; even drinking cafe cubano made with the "dirty sock."  Her memory will carry on through, among other things, the dishes which her cooking has inspired (black beans, empanadas, chicken soup, arroz con pollo...and of course Palouse Juice!!!).  Her kitchen was a place of warmth and love and joy, and will remain so in all of our memories.

My fondest memory of my grandmother is at the stove making café cubano and then filtering it through a flannel sock that she had made.  Abuela Josefina y el café de la media sucia.  My "dirty sock coffee" has never been and will never be as good as hers!

Josie was such a special person to me. I loved her like my own mother! She was wonderful mother and amazing grandmother! My children were so lucky to have had her as a loving grandma. We will miss her terribly, but will celebrate her life by remembering her in our family, always.

As I sit here thinking about my extended family the Reyes 'I feel nothing but joy! I have loved each and everyone of you so much all my life! Mrs Reyes ( because that's what I always called her out of total respect) Always had a smile and always wanted to cook for our family,and always did at Christmas. Black Beans and rice and Chicken with rice. Oh how I miss her specialties! I have a beautiful little outfit she made for my first born daughter Mollie! How I always treasured it and even more so now. And I have to say something about Mr. Reyes...Boy did he always have a big kiss for ya no matter  where he saw you! I loved that about him. I also remember the crosses he used to make in church  on Palm Sunday. Just a gentle special man! I am sorry I will not be with you at this time but my health problems keep me from coming! I will be thinking of all of you and hope to see you someday! All my love, Mary McDonald Mann

I will always remember staying with Joey overnight.  The house was full of wonderful smells when we woke in the morning and mom always had a bright smile and a sweet hug for us. She was a little hard to understand, but I always knew that whatever she was saying was sweet and kind because she had such a bright smile!  May God bring you all peace as you remember one of the best 
mothers he ever gave anyone!

For as long as I can remember, my little brother and I referred to Josie as "Grandma Reyes." She showered us with snacks and presents, and was full of compliments and hugs whenever we came by, which was as often as we could get my mom to stop by on the way home. I remember an afternoon when she taught me to sew, and many other days where she would show me what she had been working on and then tell me to practice, practice, practice. She really felt like my Grandma, and I just wanted to make her proud. God bless her for the big heart that she opened to our family: you can only imagine the ways my parents would rave about their bravery and courage, and they would pass on things they had learned from Josie and Fidel's good examples. I still think about them often and the  many wonderful afternoons we spent in that little kitchen. I will always be grateful for the love I felt from Josie, and I look forward to seeing her again someday and thanking her in person. Thoughts and prayers to her family, whom she was always bragging about and she truly, deeply loved.

We have wonderful memories of Josie. She was always willing to take on a sewing project for Robyn. We would arrive, and she greeted us with a big hug and a smile that would melt your heart. It seems we always had cookies or dessert as a treat, and if it was garden season, we always came home with some fresh items from her and Fidel's garden.  It's been several years since we've seen her, but the memories will be cherished.  Sending our love to the children and grandchildren, and a special hug for our dear friends Audie, Joey, and Audrey.

For the Reyes Family...
I first knew of the Reyes family from church, but then about 1984, Fidel began having shoulder problems and we would work together in physical therapy.  He was a fine and happy man, ever so polite and willing.  Josie often accompanied him to his therapy appointments and we talked of sewing and gardens and even the cattle Fidel raised.  Later, when I had a grandchild, she told me she could make me a beautiful dress and I went out to their home for a visit.  She proudly showed me her cache of laces, some from Spain and we decided on a dress, which I purchased, and it was extremely beautiful!  Then out to the yard, where the prune tree was ready and we picked up prunes and she told me what I could do with them.  Fidel was out with those angus cattle and he showed Don and me his barn and sheds.  They were so self-sufficient!  

Later we would deliver Mobile Meals to them and they were always ready and had their trays ready to return.  They did things on time and they did them right.  Josie was so proud of her children and she would recount to me all of their news and news of their children.  She was so sweet, and even when her time came for therapy for her back, she tried so hard to comply.  I last saw Josie every day for six weeks in 2012, when we were both in the rehab center.  I would talk with her and she would still deliver up her beautiful smile and squeeze my hands rather strongly!  Of course, she didn't know me, and I couldn't speak Spanish, but we got along just great.  

You were all so fortunate to have wonderful, loving parents.  They were truly devoted to each other and never afraid to show it.  I admired them so much.  Know you miss them and I will plan to be at the memorial Mass next week!

Christine Hardy Kackman
Colfax, WA.

Her home was always a warm, inviting place, and she loved children. We were always welcome there, and she always had some kind of wonderful treat to share with us! I remember what an influence she had on my own parents. They held Fidel and Josie in the highest regards, and talked often about their story, and the brave, kind, good people that they were. I remember the farm house, and the animals, and the fruit trees, and the warm welcomes we always received. My dear friend Josie made the world a better place with her bright smile. She will be dearly missed by many here, but I'm sure has been gratefully received on the other side by many more.

My dear friend, Denny and his wonderful sister, Joey, were in my life but a brief 2 years.  But that time was so influential for me.  Unforgettable.   


It was during those years that I met Josefina.  I simply called her "mom".   She was an angel to me because I was a transplant to Washington and I believe she understood that feeling.  Mom's laugh and smile were so easy.   So...... Disarming.   She would hug me after we "bucked bales" all day and ask if I was hungry.   I was always hungry.   She was the best cook.   I'd tease Denny wondering how he could stay so thin with such great food around.  I remember when she made black beans for us.  It was heaven.  It was truly enlightening.  
She was there when my mother could not be for me.  She called me "Big Boy" just like her husband did.   I am blessed to have known her.  I am blessed to know her children.  She is what a woman should aspire to be.   May God bless the family...

OBITUARY

Josefina Reyes

19 March, 1926 – 15 March, 2013

Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home

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