Myrna Palugod Reyes

Our dearly beloved mom, wife, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, Myrna Reyes, age 76, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2023 at Mountain Vista Medical Center after enduring her battle with multiple heart and kidney issues. She was joined bedside by her husband, children and their spouses, grandchildren and nieces to send their last goodbyes.

Myrna was born on November 9, 1946, in Binakayan, one of the Barangays (local district) in the historical town of Kawit in the province of Cavite, located a few miles south of Manila, Philippines. She was the eldest of Anacleta Panganiban and Tagumpay Palugod’s children, preceded by a half brother, Angilito (Boy) and followed by her brothers and sisters, Deogeneso (Pancho), Victoria (Vicky), Teresita (Tessie), Tagumpay (Junior), and Severino (Benjie) Palugod.

Myrna graduated high school from Imus Institute and enrolled in the University of the East to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Before she even celebrated her Debut for her 18th birthday, Myrna was already working as an elementary teacher at her hometown’s school, Binakayan Elementary. Shortly after, she joined the faculty of St. Paul College in Paranaque, Manila, teaching 5th and 6th graders Science and Math courses.

On July 4th, 1987, Myrna boarded a plane along with her family to migrate to the United States of America and arrived in San Francisco, California on Independence Day. The family lived in San Jose, California before moving to Chandler, Arizona in 1994. In 2003, Myrna was diagnosed with breast cancer and beat it courageously. Longing to return to her hometown, Myrna traveled back and forth to the Philippines to enjoy retirement life with her husband. She kept herself busy tending to her garden and helping raise her grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Efren Ray, her 3 children; Ceferino Reyes, Ana Romero and Myref Miller and their spouses; Tracy Bui, Ben Romero, and Jake Miller, and grandchildren; Kaylani Reyes, Raydan Reyes, Angelina Romero, Lexianne Reyes, Aliyah Romero, and Presley Reyes.