Reinalda Hernandez

It is with deep love and profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Reinalda Hernandez, “Rey, Reina” on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Reinalda passed peacefully in her home holding her daughter Diana’s hand and surrounded lovingly by her sister Maria, “Tonin” and granddaughter, Corrine. She was a devoted, loving, and cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister.

Reinalda was born on December 15, 1929, in Guayama, Puerto Rico, to parents Maria DeJesus Arroyo and Rafael Hernandez. She was one of 13 children, the oldest female child. In 1950 she came to New York with dreams of providing a better life and future for her and her growing family. After living in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, she settled in her beloved Bronx. She began working as a seamstress in Manhattan, and with laser focus, fearless determination, grit, and hard work, she opened her own dress manufacturing business in the Bronx in the 1970s and remained a successful business owner for over 25 years.  Reinalda realized her dreams of becoming a successful and self-made businesswoman and homeowner, the first in her family to achieve the American dream. In 1991, Reinalda retired and entered into her next calling, which was to help raise her grandchildren, Melanie, Jesse, and Delila.

In 2007, Reinalda ‘retired’ and enjoyed the rest of her golden years enjoying what she loved best, socializing and playing bingo with her friends, playing cards with her siblings, nieces, nephews and of course grandchildren, going to the casinos, regular conversations with her son ‘Riki’ about the Win 4 and Lotto numbers, reminiscing about their early years in NYC with her son ‘Miguel’, the 3-4 times a day calls from her daughter Diana, enjoying her weekly family visits and sleepovers in Rockaway , and- of course cooking for  her children and grandchildren and summer celebrations at the Funtleyder household.

Reinalda is survived by her adoring children- Miguel, “Mike”, Ricardo, “Riki” and Diana, her grandchildren- Lisa, Corrine, “Cory”, Michael, Elana, Ricky, “Lil Ricky”, Naomie, Brandon, Melanie, Jesse, Delila, great-grandchildren-Nico, Isaac, Marcus, Peyton, Ricardo III, “Tre”, Tru Dream and Thomas Cesar.

Reinalda will forever be in our hearts, and her loving memories will go on for eternity.