Maria Reyes

MARIA LUISA REYES

July 19, 1934-March 6, 2022

It is with heavy hearts that the children of Maria Luisa Reyes mourn the loss of their mother.  Our mother Maria Luisa Reyes passed away on Sunday March 6, 2022 at the age of 87.  Approximately 1 year and 1 month prior, Maria Luisa’s husband, Victor Reyes passed away at the age of 89.  Maria Luisa and Victor were married on January 25, 1953 in the Rio Grande Valley; the loved they forged endured for 68 years.  Our mother has now rejoined our father in the presence of our Lord God.

Our mother was born in El Campo (Rio Grande Valley) Texas to Carmen and Patricia Galvan.  Little did she know that at the tender age of 17, her heart would be captured by the man who would be her partner in life.  Little did she know that it was her destiny to become a resident of Laredo, Texas until her death.  She certainly did not know that she would be the mother of twelve (12) children, eleven (11) of which survive.  What ensued was the endless task of shepherding her children through all the trials and tribulations that life brings.  Although she was short in stature, she would prove to be a giant in tackling the many challenges of raising the children that were born to her and Victor; undoubtedly her ability to persevere came from divine guidance.

Like her husband, our mother was a devout catholic.  Each and every one of us learned the Lord’s Prayer and Hail Mary long before we ever learned our ABC’s.  Our mother instilled the teachings of God and church in each of us.  It was her greatest hope that by planting seeds founded in faith that her children would grow up believing in God and the hope of the resurrection in Christ.  Indeed, by instilling in each and every one of us the principals of faith, she hoped that we would be good God fearing people that would set out in life to do good onto others, be productive citizens, and endeavor to pass on a legacy of good to our children; the accomplishment of her children is testament to her success in raising all of us. On her final day, minutes before her passing, she summoned her children and led us in prayer.  True to her beliefs, upon concluding her payer, she announced aloud to God that she was ready and that it was time for God to take her to his kingdom in heaven; God acceded to her request and minutes later join God and a band of angels that most certainly trumpeted her arrival at the pearly gates.

Each of us had the good fortune of spending time with her before her passing.  One by one had the opportunity to say a few words to her before leaving her the night of her passing.  Many thoughts of love and adoration were expressed by each of us as we said our good byes, far too many to relate.  The one collective expression that brings all of our love to bear is “Gracias por haber sido nuestra madre.”

The family wishes to thank five angels that cared for our mother the last few months of our mother’s life.  Our sisters Maria Luisa Villarreal, Rosalinda Reyes, Ester Reyes, Sylvia Pena, and Sonia Lara Reyes dedicated every free moment of their time to tend to our mother hand and foot, to make her comfortable, to provide companionship and encouragement, and of course to assist her in her personal needs; we love you and you most certainly have a place in heaven reserved for each of you.  Our sisters will most certainly continue in our mother’s services because they will endeavor to take care of your entire plants mom.

The family would also like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Arturo Garza-Gongora for the many years of serviced to our mother.  Significantly, Dr. Arturo Garza-Gongora made a magnanimous gesture of visiting our mother at home which brought her great happiness.  We previously wrote that “Doctor Arturo Garza-Gongora truly embodies the spirit of what a doctor should be in its’ purist form.”  We now add that his humanity in seeking to bring comfort to his patients make him a giant among his colleagues.

The family would also like to thank the many nurses that tended to our mother in her final hours.  We may not know all your names but your efforts and attention to our beloved mother is sincerely appreciated.

Our mother was predeceased by her husband of 68 years Victor Reyes, her father Patricio Galvan, her mother Carmen Galvan, her sister Raquel Galvan, Rene Galvan, and Carmela Lucio. Our mother was also predeceased in death by his father-in-law Guillermo Reyes, her mother-in-law Maria De La Luz Reyes, and her brother-in-law Jose Guadalupe Reyes.

Our mother is survived by her children, Victor (Francisca +) Reyes, Jr, Maria Luisa (Raul) Villarreal, Rosalinda Reyes, Esther Reyes, Sylvia (Ramiro) Pena, Andres (Cynthia) Reyes, Roberto (Alicia) Reyes, Daniel (Maria Luisa) Reyes, Gabriel (Maria Luisa) Reyes, Guillermo (Sandra) Reyes, Sonia (Enrique II +);  grandchildren, Victor Reyes III, Gerardo Reyes, Selena Reyes, Veronica Vidal, Melissa Villarreal, Raul Villarreal, Jr., Jessica Alvarado, Ramiro Peña, Jr., Briana Gloria Reyes, Andres Reyes II, Steven Anthony Reyes, Daniel Damian Reyes, Jonali Reyes, Iven Reyes, Liza Michelle Reyes, Samantha Ruiz, Elaine Reyes, Victoria Perez, Olga Klarissa Reyes, Annhi Reyes, Guillermo Reyes, Jr., Stephanie Rae Lara, and Enrique Lara IV.  Our mother is also survived by twenty one (21) great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Our mother is further survived by her sister Margarita (Benjamin) Avila, Samuel (Blanca) Galvan, Ismael (Carmen) Galvan, Manuel Galvan, Esther (Juan +) Nuñez, Guadalupe (Genaro) Acosta.  Our mother is further survived by her sister-in-law Clementina Ramos from San Juan, Texas and Blas Romeo Reyes from Atlanta, Georgia.

The family will be receiving condolences on Thursday evening, March 10, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday morning, March 11, 2022 departing at 10:00 a.m. from Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels to San Vicente de Paul Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers are: Victor Reyes III, Gerardo Reyes, Raul Villarreal, Jr., Ramiro Peña, Jr., Andres Reyes II, Damian Daniel Reyes, Iven Reyes, Enrique Lara IV, and Guillermo Reyes Jr.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, Texas 78040; (956)722-0001.