Kathy A. Reina

Kathy Ann (Sandoval) Reina went to be with the Lord, her father and mother on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Kathy’s wonderful life was blessed with so many wonderful people. She and her husband Denny shared 44 years and they were always together! During her young adulthood, Kathy worked serving the public at the Winnebago County Treasurer’s office but soon found her niche as a stay-at-home mom, raising her daughters. She also dedicated most of her life to caring for her parents and seeing to their every needs. Kathy who had a very kind heart was also an amazing caregiver.

Christmas was Kathy’s favorite holiday; she had already started decorating. She also enjoyed Halloween and liked watching scary movies, Did we mention the scarier the movies---the better!! Kathy adored her daughters Angela and Andrea and the strong bond between the three of them was one that was admired by all. After the devastating loss of her mother, Kathy’s heart was healed by the birth of her youngest grandchild, Mason. God sure has a way of bringing us back from impactful grief to feeling warmth and joy in our hearts----Mason did that for her.

Kathy dearly loved Annabella and Adrian, her other grandchildren, and spoke often and proudly about their adventures. Bella loved to decorate Nana’s house, and she loved having her Nana around all the time! Kathy loved to see Adrian play football for Stephen Mack and was so proud of him. Kathy often told her sister how grateful she was for her sons-in-law, Ryan and Nick. They were always available with their help and support and loved her as a mother.

Angela and Andrea each would call their mom at an average of at least 20 times per day and Kathy loved that---always in touch and never without her loving girls. Kathy loved to shop with her girls and they took her everywhere with them!! How blessed she was!

Let’s talk about her mad cooking skills! Kathy’s sugo (sauce) was unrivaled. Her mother-in-law cooked for Maria’s for years before she passed away and Kathy was a good student. She would cook her sugo for hours!! Her cannoli cake was also a family favorite—everyone would ask her to bring it to a Sandoval gathering. Kathy also mastered the recipes from her father’s family—the Sandovals; enchiladas, tortillas, tamales etc. 

Sandy will miss her only sibling greatly! They were close in age and throughout their lives were always together. Neither remembered when they ever had or expressed any ill feelings against each other. There was always love! Kathy did, however, joke about when they were kids and how she would throw her big sis into a dark, hallway closest just to hear her scream to get out! They both laughed about that memory especially because ironically Kathy was the one who became claustrophobic as an adult! 

Kathy was always adored by her many nieces and nephews and their sadness and feeling of loss is also overwhelming, but they also know that Kathy has found peace, love and happiness in heaven and the many struggles she faced with her health are over, she is now without pain.

Kathy’s loving cousins, Judy Wilcox, Mary Jean Brewer and Melanie Benney called her often to check on her and to chat. The family loves and thanks them greatly!

Survivors: Denny Reina (spouse) daughters: Angela (Ryan) Reina Turvold, Andrea (Nick) Reina Vecchione; Grandchildren; Adrian, Annabella and Mason. Sister; Sandy (Gil) Stansell

Kathy had many special nephews and nieces who were close to her and whom she loved greatly.