Edita Toledo Reyes' Obituary
Edita Ester Apostol Toledo was born in the town of San Antonio, Zambales Province, Philippines. She met her husband of 55 years, Benjamin P. Reyes, in middle school. Ben was a 30-year decorated sailor and veteran in the United States Navy. After their marriage, Edita left her home in San Antonio to join her husband, Ben, at his assignment at the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School with an infant daughter and toddler son in tow. Together, Ben and Edita started a new adventure that took them from Monterey, California, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and ultimately to Alameda, California, where the couple raised their children and retired after productive careers.
As a Navy spouse, Edita was often a temporary single parent of four children during Ben’s participation in campaigns, including the Cuban Missile Crises, the Vietnam War, and the Apollo 14 recovery Mission. She managed the family home and worked as an educator when Ben was deployed to sea or stationed at various Naval facilities.
Edita is a graduate of T.R. Yangco Educational Institute and earned an Early Childhood Education Certificate. She taught pre-school at the N.A.S Alameda Childhood Development Center for nearly 20 years. A 40-year parishioner of St. Barnabas Catholic Church, Edita served as a choir member, lay Eucharistic Minister, and was also active in the Knights of Columbus, the Fil-Am Veterans, Inc. and in the Apostleship of Prayer ministries. Edita also served as a board member of the United Pilipinos of Alameda, Inc. and the NorCal San Antonians, Inc. Edita and Ben loved to travel and visited over 40 countries on five continents.
Edita T. Reyes has a large and loving extended family. She is predeceased by her husband, SCPO Benjamin P. Reyes, Sr. (U.S. Navy, Ret.), her sisters, Soledad Toledo Dela Cruz, Lourdes Toledo and her brother, Daniel A. Toledo. She is survived by her sisters, Elvera Toledo Maguire, Caridad Toledo Florita and Corazon Toledo Gahimer (Robin). Edita is also survived by her children, Superior Court Judge Benjamin T. Reyes II (Susan S. Reyes), Irma Reyes Glidden, Charisma Reyes Beesley (James Beesley), and Ariel “Kiddo” T. Reyes (Mylene Calderon Reyes). Edita’s ten grandchildren are Nicholas J. Frankel, Marlene Calderon Usi, Benjamin Adam Reyes III, James W. Beesley, Jr., Isabel San Juan Reyes, Robert T. Glidden, Jr., Gabriel L. Reyes, Ryan X. Reyes, Kiana Marie Reyes and Maya Edita Reyes. Edita has touched many lives with her generous spirit and her welcoming heart.
Requiem Mass is scheduled for January 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 1427 Sixth St., Alameda, CA 94501, followed by interment at Chapel of the Chimes, 32992 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA 94544. Sympathy cards may be sent to The Reyes Family, c/o Susan S. Reyes, P.O. Box 1293, Alameda, CA 94501. Flowers may be sent to the Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward by January 6, 2023. Eternal Rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
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