Dolores Reyes Hernandez Ortiz

Jun. 11, 1925 - Nov. 28, 2008

Dolores was born to Jose Morales Reyes and Guadalupe Posada Reyes in El Campo, Texas on June 11, 1925. Dolores told stories of her early years working in the fields with other family members and of spending time with her grandmother. She first became "Mama" at the age of 12 when she began to help raise her sisters and brothers.

At the age of 24, Dolores married her great love Francisco (Frank) Hernandez. In the years that followed they worked together to own and operate a tortilla factory, delivering tortillas from the back of a station wagon. They then opened the first drive-in restaurant in Uvalde, Texas. They were known as "Parientes" (kinfolk), friends to many, and their door was always open. They were great parents to Cristoval, Daniel, MarÃ-a Elena and DÃ-ana until Frank's death in 1960.

A couple of years later Dolores married her friend Pablo Ortiz and they rounded out the family with the addition of Phillip and Ygnacia. The family then transferred to England Air Force Base in Alexandria, La. in 1964. Dolores adjusted by doing what she had always done-becoming "Mama" to anyone and everyone who crossed her life's path. Mama always had a pot of frijoles and a stack of tortillas available to all who entered her home. She enjoyed serving as a "second mom" to the airmen and women whom she had met on base. Many would join the celebrations she would host, most notably, the annual Easter gathering with her food, cascárones (confetti-filled eggs), and a piñata.

Mama experienced her most trying time when her dearest daughter, DÃ-ana, was tragically killed in an accident. After spending time with each of her children, she chose to settle in Billings. Introduced as Dolores to all, she nevertheless became "Mama" to yet so many others. Always ready to lend a hand, even when she needed help herself, Mama was always showing concern for others.

In her later years, Dolores met a special companion in Tom Soumas and they enjoyed a few adventures before she struggled to hold on to her memory. We were reminded that she remained our Mama as some endearing qualities-determination, persistence, stubbornness, courtesy and humor-would display themselves to us despite her failing memory.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Frank Hernandez, daughter DÃ-ana, and husband Pablo Ortiz.

Survivors include her children: Cris, Dan, Mary (Pat Smith), Phil (Mary) and Nacha (Scott Davis); grandchildren Catherine, Doug (Katja), Dan (Sarah), Steven (Tiffany), Nina (Ryan), David, Gabe, Sam, Chris, Shane and Justin; great-grandchildren Marcos, Lucca, Illyria and Landen; forever daughters-in-law Chareze Wells and Barb Gunn; sisters MarÃ-ana Krupa, MarÃ-a Elena Ramirez, RosarÃ-o Jaime, and Criscelda Long; brothers Eméterio Reyes and Juan Jose Reyes, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and her special companion Tom Soumas.

"Con cariño y que dios te béndiga, Mamá".

The family would like to thank the staffs at St. Vincent Healthcare Broadwater Clinic and Billings Health and Rehabilitation Center, especially the Special Care Unit staff, for their years of caring for our mom. Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 3202 3rd Ave. N., Billings, MT 59101 or the Alzheimer's Association, 3010 11th Ave. N, Billings, MT 59101.

A vigil service took place at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008. A funeral mass will take place at noon on Monday, Dec. 1, at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral, with a reception following. Internment of ashes will occur at a later date in Uvalde, Texas.

Memories and condolences may be made to the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.