Ophelia Riego

Ophelia Riego
August 20, 2021
Sacramento, California - Ophelia Riego, beloved wife, sister, friend, auntie and community activist, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2021.
Ophelia was born in the Philippines and emigrated to the US with her family in 1973. She spent much of her life in California, and for the last eight years she enjoyed a honeymoon with her husband Michael Reilly. The couple lived in Sacramento with their beloved family of canines and a host of friendly humans who helped turn their house into a home.
Anyone who met Ophelia will remember her kindness, her laughter, her generous spirit and her love of dogs. She was physically beautiful but even more beautiful on the inside - a generous soul who saw the good in people. She spent countless hours volunteering in the community, helping those less fortunate than herself. She helped found My Sisters House, a safe haven for Asian and Pacific Islander and under-served women impacted by domestic violence and sex trafficking. She was actively involved in many other charitable organizations, including A Community for Peace, which helps children and adult survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Despite the fact that she had her own insurance business, Ophelia was an invaluable business associate and helped her husband with his insurance practice. Yet she found time to run more than 26 marathons and inspired numerous people to hit the Sacramento trails with her. In later years, she worked for the US Small Business Administration (SBA). It was the perfect fit for her as she helped numerous people recover from financial disasters due to hurricanes, floods or Covid-19.
An avid golfer, she never hesitated to organize a golf outing, especially if it raised money for charity. She was a gifted gardener who helped create a beautiful floral haven at her Sacramento home. She loved to travel - to Hawaii, England, Thailand, to name a few of her destinations. She made friends as easily with people in Peru as folks in Sacramento. But her favorite corner of the world was in her husband's arms. He held her tightly as she lost her battle against COVID-19, slipping from this world and receiving her wings, to be greeted in Heaven by her parents Cristita Esteban and Castolo Riego.
Right now, Ophelia is wearing her long hair loose, enjoying a big expensive glass of wine and a bowl of her favorite extra crispy chicken wings and surrounded by her cadre of dogs. Her life, love, and legacy continue with her husband; her siblings Chres, Irene, Wilma, Baltazar and Venancio; the entire Reilly family; and a host of friends and 'framily'. Ophelia, may your beautiful spirit and soul Rest In Peace as you remain forever in our hearts.