Reynalda Retuta

Reynalda Rillon Retuta, resident of San Francisco, California, July 16, 1940 – August 5, 2025

Reynalda Rillon Retuta was born on July 16, 1940. She was the second child of the late Teodoro Rosales Retuta and the late Placida Romero Rillon of the Philippines. She was predeceased by her brother, Juan Retuta and sister, Esperanza Retuta Orata. She is survived by her only remaining sibling, Estefania Retuta Tindoc, her son Reynier Retuta Garbinski, her daughter-in-law, Anne Marie Garbinski and granddaughters, Anne Reigne Garbinski and Rei Anne Mary Garbinski along with numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews and a very large circle of friends. A native of Binalan, Aparri, Cagayan, Philippines, she immigrated to the United States in 1970 and lived in San Francisco for 55 years. She worked as a seamstress for Koret of California, a women’s apparel company for 34 years. Following her tenure at Koret, she took on a variety of jobs over the years, most recently as a part-time Noon Monitor/Playground Aid for West Portal Schools watching over the younger kids during their recess times.

She did not drive a car but was instead an expert at taking the street car and Muni Bus for wherever she needed to go in the City. And her most favorite destination was Saint Cecilia Church, where she was considered a “gift” to the parish by her years of volunteer service in a number of roles and in many capacities wherever she was needed. She was also a “treasure” to her Retuta relatives here in the Bay Area. She was constantly present in the lives of Iluminada, Danilo, Nemesio, Jr., Rene, Rudy, and Edgar Retuta, and Edward Aquino and Wilma Retuta Cruz, most of whom were at her bedside when she passed. One of her special angels was the late Evelyn Retuta Turlo.

In addition to the above, Reynalda traveled with church groups to Europe and was looking forward to a pilgrimage to Medjugorje this October. She was able to enjoy a lengthy vacation to the Philippines last year. Her family there showed her a wonderful time and took her to many beautiful sites that she had not seen before. She was truly happy being reunited with her relatives and had hoped to return to them permanently. But God had other plans and she returned instead to her heavenly home with Him on August 5th, 2025. She was 85 years old.

Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday August 27, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Cecilia Catholic Church, 2555 17th Avenue, San Francisco.