Grandma Rey

Reyitos Mary Gonzales · Tia Rey

June 21, 1947 – August 30, 2009

Mother of Fidel, Paul, and Jenny.
Tia Rey to her many cousins.
Grandma to those who called her home.

She was passionate about her Christian faith
and prayed often.

Spanish filled their home—
her children grew up hearing its rhythms,
though they never learned the words,
only the warmth beneath them.

In her last years in Pueblo, Colorado,
she never missed a Sunday at church.

We know she is in heaven now,
watching over our family with love.

Some knew her as Reyitos Montoya.
Most just knew her as Rey.

A Letter to Grandma Rey

She was very passionate about her Christian faith and prayed often. She was taken from this world far too early and we all dearly miss her, but we know that she is in heaven and acting as a guardian angel to our family with love.

Sometimes I still feel like she's still alive and that I'll get to see her again soon. Like she's just on a trip or something. Last time I saw her was when I had just finished 9th grade, and we had to abruptly move and she let us live with her for a few months in Pueblo, Colorado until we were able to get picked up by our dad. I remember how excited I was to leave, not realizing that that would be the last time I would ever see her.

I created this website to celebrate Grandma Rey for all of the wonderful love she brought into the world and shared with our family. The ache in my heart for losing her is a gift that reminds me of how wonderful she was to have. I made this website so we are always able to visit her tree from now on, to spend time to remember her fondly.

We miss you Grandma Rey. We love you so much.

Thank you for everything. Thank you for making tamales. Thank you for taking us to the library to borrow CDs. Thank you for going out of your way to make copies of movies and music on VHS and disc for us. Thank you for letting us stay with you.

God bless your soul. We all love and miss you.

With love, your grandchildren

In Loving Memory

Tributes shared by Jenny

Grandma Rey - Happy Heavenly Birthday
Happy Heavenly Birthday
Grandma Rey Memorial Collage
Reyitos · 1947–2009
The California Pepper Tree

Her ashes were scattered beneath a California Pepper Tree
on San Antonio Road in Yorba Linda.

“Mom's tree has survived where other trees couldn't!”

— Jenny, Mother's Day 2015

The Tree

Mother's Day 2015 · Click to enlarge

The California Pepper Tree in 2015
2015
The pepper tree on San Antonio Road
The tree with pink peppercorn berries
2015
Pink peppercorn berries

Remembering Her

I would have posted this yesterday but it was a busy day! So I went to visit my mom's tree where her ashes were laid out in Yorba Linda. Mom's tree has survived where other trees couldn't! Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Jenny Montoya
May 11, 2015

It's on San Antonio Rd off of Yorba Linda Blvd. It's on the right side behind these small white fences. A place where we can always find her.

Jenny Montoya

My precious Tia Rey I miss you so much.

Tina Garcia

Love my Tia Ray

Suzanna Sanchez

Happy Birthday to my mother in heaven!

Jenny Montoya
June 21, 2022

On August 30th 12 years ago my mother died. She is now the beautiful Angel she was meant to be.

Jenny Montoya
August 30, 2022

...last time I saw my grandma ray I didn't know it was the last time I'd ever see her.. alive.

Donn Braccini
June 12, 2014
About the Tree & Location

The Tree

Species: California Pepper Tree (Schinus molle)
Known for its graceful weeping branches, feathery foliage, and distinctive pink peppercorn berries.

Location

33.896°N, 117.766°W

San Antonio Road, Yorba Linda, California
On city-owned open space, behind small white fences.

Fire History

November 15, 2008 — Freeway Complex Fire: Burned over 30,305 acres. Of the three trees that once stood at the memorial site, only Grandma Rey's survived.

October 26, 2020 — Blue Ridge Fire: Burned over 14,000 acres with 90 mph winds. The tree survived the flames again, but fire leaves invisible wounds. Over the following years, weakened by damage and drought, the tree slowly declined.

Her Resting Places

Part of her ashes were scattered beneath this tree. The rest were given to the Pacific Ocean.