Eileen Mary Reyes

Eileen Mary "Loved You First" Reyes

September 16, 1952 - November 19, 2024

Eileen was born in the Da Bronx, New York on September 16th, 1952.  She predicted marriage to her husband Ralph when she was just 15 years old and he was 16 when she announced to a friend, "I'm going to marry him!"  They married in 1973, reaching 51 years of love and friendship. Eileen had a lifelong love for her native city and passion as a Puerto Rican expressed via salsa dancing, comida criolla, and handmade creations. She had two daughters, Jacine and Amanda born in 1975 and 1978, respectively. The family left New York City to follow Ralph's career in the Air Force, eventually settling in San Diego for almost 30 years. Eileen graduated from San Diego State University in 2000 with a BFA in Applied Design and a minor in Art History.

Eileen loved art and cinema and had diverse tastes in music and books, which she imparted to her family. She also loved fashion and took great pride in being stylish whenever the opportunity arose. Eileen was an advocate of education, creative expression, and using one's impactful voice by any means necessary. She was charismatic and ensured even strangers knew they were appreciated.

Eileen's kindness, love, and impact on the many people she met over the years will be treasured memories, and the family hopes Eileen will be blessed with becoming a guardian angel to all that loved her -- even those that she met only once.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Las Vegas on December 15th at 1pm (PST) and can also be attended via live stream.  If you would like the stream link, please contact Jacine via email: teachtoempower@gmail.com for details.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please donate to one of Eileen's favorite charities on her behalf:

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: https://giving.mskcc.org/

Father Joe's Villages: https://my.neighbor.org/

Mama's Kitchen: https://mamaskitchen.org/

American Museum of Natural History, New York: https://www.amnh.org/join-support/donate

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We will honor her daily by remembering her kind laugh and love. Love you always...you can rest now.