Gavina Sarno Reyes

Gavina “Binang” Sarno Reyes, age 83, passed away peacefully in San Diego, California surrounded by her loved ones on Friday, February 26, 2016. Beloved wife, mother to 5 children, loving grandmother to 21 and great grandmother to 7.

Gavina’s life began on February 19, 1933 in Imus, Cavite, Philippines as the eldest offspring among 11 children of the late David and Alejandra Sarno. It was not until she met her one true love – Rodolfo T. Reyes, in Malagasang, Imus, Cavite in 1950 that her life changed. They later got married on June 25 that same year and were blessed with five children.

As a mother of four boys and one girl, Gavina’s life was always busy but simple. With her husband, Rodolfo, constantly being away due to his military duties with the US Navy, she single-handedly raised her five children until Rodolfo retired from the US Navy in 1966.

Her keen sense of financial independence enabled her to venture into investing in some properties and businesses including a three-unit apartment in Olongapo City and some land properties in Cavite. Being the eldest among her siblings, she helped her parents by sending her two younger sisters and youngest brother to school. Her positive outlook and foresight in life made her keep the family in a comfortable way of living and proved the saying that “Behind every successful man is a strong, wise and hardworking woman.”

One of her greatest passions was cooking and spending most of her time in the kitchen. Don’t let her know when your birthday is… or she’ll cook something for your birthday. Her favorite phrase when you visit her was, “KAIN NA!” She also had a wonderful sense of humor and would joke around just to break the ice.

“Nanay”, as she is fondly called by everyone, was a generous, religious and unselfish lady who was proud of her family and instilled in them her strong principles in life. She was the type of mother and person who made her loved ones her top priority and always thought about their welfare before her own. She put a lot of pride on the fact that she and her siblings always showed their love for each other and never had any major conflicts or arguments.

She is survived by her husband, Rodolfo, by her children and their respective partners; Carlos & Precy, Carolina & Benny, Rodolfo Jr & Manet, Rodelio & Bambi, Rogelio & Gemalyn, and her siblings; Aquilina Saique, Benito Sarno, Rizalina Bautista, Elizabeth Albania, Catalina Magpantay, Danilo Sarno, and Yolanda Santos.