Rita Reyna

Rita Reyna, at the tender age of 91 years young, has gone home to be with our precious Lord. God lovingly welcomed her home on Sunday July 21, 2013. Rita was born in Ramirez, Tamaulipas, Mexico on Aug 22, 1921. She was the third child born to Antonio "Papa Tonio" and Juanita "Mama Juanita" Reyna who together had 13 children: 6 girls and 7 boys.

Rita grew up on a large picturesque ranch in Tamaulipas. Corn and beans were grown on her parents ranch and they also had livestock including horses, cows, chickens, goats, and pigs. There was lots of work for all to do. As a child, Rita was very respectful of her parents and always jovial towards completing her daily chores… of which she had many. She awoke extra early every morning so she could bathe, get dressed, fix her hair and prepare herself to do her chores. Whatever she was doing she wanted to look her best while getting it done! She found herself cooking, cleaning, milking cows, and yes…making tortillas. Anyone and everyone who has tasted her oh so delicious homemade tortillas will tell you she certainly made the best tortillas around!

In November of 1935 Rita married Roberto Garcia and together they had 5 children - one daughter and four sons. Rita, always the determined and loving person that she was, continued to work hard and instill strong values into her children. Values that were passed on to her and values she indeed wanted passed on to her 24 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

Papa Tonio and Mama Juanita raised a tight knit family with lots of love to give. Once all the children were old enough they would sit around the table every morning drinking coffee and eating homemade "pan de levadura" bread. This practice continued well into adulthood with married siblings coming over to the ranch and bringing their spouses with them to have coffee and bread with the family. The closeness of the family that Papa Tonio and Mama Juanita instilled in their children can still be seen today throughout our entire family. Cousins are more than cousins; our Aunts and Uncles are like having second sets of parents.

Rita was endeared to those values. She graciously opened her heart and her humble home to all she knew. Any family member, either directly or indirectly related, that arrived to California was greeted with a smile, some fresh homemade tortillas, and a place to stay while they got situated. Her kindness extended even further helping to find jobs, schools for the kids, and a place to live. She was kindhearted and loving to everyone she encountered. Rita was especially devoted to her family. She strived to make sure everyone had what they needed, and moreover, that they had an abundance of love continuously around them.

Rita taught us how to love unconditionally and she also taught us to have fun and enjoy life. She loved getting herself ready to go out dancing. She danced well late into her years and her age never slowed down her dancing! She was never without a dance partner as she always went out with her sisters.

It would be impossible to completely describe all that she was and all that she meant to those who knew and loved her. Those she leaves behind will dearly miss her endearing charm, her loving smile, and her warm embrace. She will live on in our hearts and in each other as we continue to pass on the virtues and values that she instilled in each one of us to our children and to our children's' children for generations to come.