Maria Elena Reyna

Maria Elena Reyna was born June 15, 1968 in El Paso, TX to Zenaido & Luz Gardea and passed away December 15, 2018 in Flower Mound, TX. Maria Elena is survived by her husband of 26 years, Steve Reyna; children: Steven, Victoria, Elena, Raquel & Nicholas; her parents; siblings: Lucy, Mague, Rosa, Francisco, Anna & Hugo and so many friends, too numerous to count.

Maria Elena was raised in El Paso and graduated from Austin High School. She played the violin in the orchestra and excelled academically receiving an academic scholarship to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In the midst of her studies, she met the love of her life, Steve Reyna. After a year-long engagement after graduation, she followed him to San Diego to be the wife of a Naval Aviator and they began their journey together living on Coronado Island for a time. While in San Diego, she earned her Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders from San Diego State University. The couple returned to El Paso where Maria Elena gave birth to the first two of their five children. Upon Steve’s departure from the Navy, the young family moved to the DFW area and settled in Flower Mound, Texas. They became members of St. Ann Catholic Parish in Coppell and soon welcomed their three additional children.

Maria Elena was a loving and dynamic homemaker who was also active in her parish. She worked as a volunteer in the religious education of her children and built many lasting friendships. Additionally, she enjoyed attending Bible study, picked up her violin for a time with the choir, and Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP 12) ministries.

Her Eldest son, Steven is discerning the priesthood at Holy Trinity Seminary. Victoria and Elena attend Baylor University where Victoria is a National Merit Scholar and Elena was recruited and plays for the Baylor Soccer team. Raquel is a Varsity cheerleader at Flower Mound High School and her youngest son Nicholas enjoys Sports, band and Boy Scouts. Maria Elena had worked part time at a local hospital and, true to her loving nature, thoroughly enjoyed her job providing therapy to the elderly as a speech and language pathologist.

Outside of Parish life, Maria Elena enjoyed European travel, cooking, gardening and was especially glad to be able to take a break from her professional career to be a homemaker to her family, which she adored. Throughout her life, Maria Elena was active; she enjoyed game nights with friends, recreational sports, especially volleyball, of which she imparted her talents and spirit of competition to her children. Whether for family or in her profession, she was sure to embrace and love others and felt the most rewarded when she was caring for those around her.

Mass of Christian Burial is 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 21, 2018 at St. Ann Catholic Church, Coppell, TX. Prior to the Mass the Rosary will take place in the chapel at 1:15. There will be a private burial at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, TX on Christmas Eve.

Our dear Maria Elena has gone to spend Christmas with the Lord. While we rejoice in that, we are ill-prepared for the rush of emotions at our loss. Her sweet yet humorous personality, her courageous three-and-a-half-year battle against cancer, her unending commitment to her family, her faith in the living Jesus Christ despite her condition, the precious Reyna children, her devoted husband and every family member, friend, neighbor – so much love, grief, joy, crying, laughter, relief, death….and ultimately Life for Maria Elena we now celebrate. It is of great comfort that her dear family, pastors and friends, were present at her bedside as she began her journey to our Lord.

Eternal rest grant unto Maria Elena and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.