Reina Isabel Flores' Obituary
Reina Isabel Flores passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, in her daughter’s home after a long and courageous fight with cancer. She leaves behind her son, Eduardo Canales; her daughters, Karla Thomas and Bessy Rishel; and her grandchildren, Maya, Andre, David, Marcus, Mia, and Lucia.Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on July 8, 1945, Reina always had a passion for teaching. After earning her bachelor and postgraduate degrees in early childhood education she founded a preschool, Centro de Excelencia Reina Isabel Flores, which currently enrolls more than two hundred underprivileged children. This innovative project continues to be a model educational establishment.Reina moved to California in 1994 to join her family. Following her passion for teaching she started a family daycare in 2000. She earned the trust of families while caring for hundreds of children throughout the 16 years that her daycare was open. She treated the children as her own family and was tireless in her efforts to develop a creative and thoughtful curriculum. As with the school she founded in Honduras, her daycare in California was seen as a model for others to emulate.Reina not only loved to teach; she was also an enthusiastic student. When she moved to California she knew very little English and took evening courses after work. After rigorous studying, in 2015 she was very proud to become a U.S. citizen, earning perfect scores on her tests.Reina was a vital, passionate person with a real zest for life. We will all miss the joyful way she embraced life. Known as “Nana” by her grandchildren, Reina was a loving sister, mother, aunt and grandmother. She enthusiastically celebrated the birthdays, anniversaries and holidays of others. She loved to cook for friends and family and her pancakes were the best. She loved to dance and could bring any party to life. She was the first on the dance floor and the last to leave.Reina was an enthusiastic participant in her church and lived a life devoted to God. Her deep faith and active participation in her community brought with it many friendships. Reina will be dearly missed and her spirit will be with us always.
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