Reina

Villegas

Reina Villegas passed away peacefully in Hollister at the age of 92.

Reina was born in Hollister at the beginning of the Great Depression to Cecilio and Margarita Ruiz. Soon after, her family returned to Camargo, Chihuahua and then to Las Varas, Chihuahua where she continued her education. At sixteen, she returned to Hollister with her two older sisters Angela and Gloria.

Reina worked at a local cannery with her two sisters for many years, and in their free time they enjoyed attending dances in Salinas. Extraordinarily, those three Ruiz sisters married three Villegas brothers from the same family- Reina marrying Jose, Angela marrying Rafael and Gloria marrying Robert.

Reina married Jose in 1956 and in 1957, their daughter Pearl was born. Sadly, Jose passed away in 1966, leaving Reina and Pearl on their own. Many people in Hollister know Pearl as Perlita, who was born with Down's Syndrome and Reina's constant companion at the garage/yard sales they visited on Friday and Saturday mornings almost every weekend.

Reina also loved gardening, thrifting, traveling and music. She had an extensive garden, which she took great pride in. Reina loved music and creating cassettes and later CDs of favorite Mexican songs and distributing them to her sisters. She was also the coordinator of the "Birthday Club" for her siblings (seven sisters and one brother) and they celebrated each birthday together well into their late 80's. She thrived on hosting celebrations at her home and was famous for her delicious enchiladas. Reina was also a collector- of stamps, coins, glassware, dishes, figurines, and paper weights. She acquired some extraordinary collections that were collected and sold over the years, and she was constantly on the search for the next big collectible.

Reina is survived by her beloved daughter Pearl and her sister Angela Villegas. She is also survived by her beloved Goddaughter Gloria Boyd and niece Elsie Marshall, who lovingly cared for her & Perlita in her later years. Reina loved and was equally loved by the over 40 nieces and nephews from her siblings. She was the "family news reporter" and loved to keep all informed on what was happening within the extended family.

Reina was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Villegas, brother Trini Ruiz and sisters Rosa Ruiz, Lidia Gonzales, Nieves Casas, Juana Trujillo, Gloria Villegas, and Candelaria Rocha.

Special thanks and appreciation to the staff at Mabie Northside skilled nursing facility, who provided Reina with wonderful care for over 4 years. There were some very special CNA's and nurses that were especially dear to her – you know who you are!

Services will be held on Thursday, May 4 ^th at Black-Cooper-Sander Funeral Home. The funeral will begin at 10:30 am, followed by a graveside service.