Dionicia (Nicha) Reyes

LIFESTORY:

Dionicia (Nicha) Reyes age 99 of Holland died Sunday, June 10, 2012 at Holland Hospital.

Born in Irapuato, Juanaquato in Mexico, Dionicia with her husband Juan moved as migrant workers to Saginaw, MI., Lansing, MI., then to Grand Ledge, MI. before settling in Holland in 1943. Together they raised 6 girls and 6 boys in a two story house they bought in 1952. Out of her 12 children, 7 served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

While Juan was working in the fields for Heinz Company, Dionicia was home in charge of her family. She made clothes for the kids when they where young, sometimes out of flower bags or anything she could find. Dionicia ran a tight ship, making sure they all where fed well and all at the kitchen table, even if that meant in shifts. Meat was a luxury, but sometimes Juan brought home a chicken that she would have to kill.

They would often go for rides as a family which meant Juan would bring home a bus from work so there was room for everyone. Their favorite trips ended up at Goshorn Lake.

Dionicia wasn’t just about work. She truly enjoyed her family and always had room at her table for one of her kids friends or someone Juan brought home from work.

Dionicia never learned how to drive a car, nor speak the English language but that did not slow her down or keep her from enjoying her family. She enjoyed gardening in her back yard, listening to her favorite music, embroidery, and watching W.W.E. wrestling on tv! But her favorite love was baby sitting her many grandchildren.

Church was important as well as she was a member of St. Francis de Sales Church.

Sadly she was preceded in death by her husband Juan Reyes Sr. in 1970, and daughter Isabelle, son, Domingo and great grand daughter, Aubrey Kasinger.

She is survived by her children; Bernadine (Augustine) Marrero of Wyoming, MI., John Jr. Reyes of Holland, Celestine Sr. (Lupita) Reyes of Holland, Valentina Castillo of Cibelo, TX., Irene Castillo of Bryan, OH., Richard (Marty) Reyes of Holland, Jose Reyes of Bastrop, TX., Peggy Reyes of Sharon, WI., Nancy (Alex) Pena of Holland, Linda Reyes of Holland and Reuben Reyes of Holland, 26 grandchildren, several great, great great and great great great grandchildren as well as a daughter in law, Socorro Reyes of Holland.

A funeral mass will be held Thursday, 10:00AM at St Francis de Sales Church, 195 West 13th St. with Rev. Charlie Brown officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

Friends may greet the family Wednesday, 6-9 at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, 188 West 32nd St., Holland.

Memorial gifts may be given to: American Diabetes Association or American Cancer Society.

Please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com to sign an on-line registry or to leave a memory.