Angela Reina Pisarra

Angela Reina Pisarra passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at the age of 97, in the loving care of her family.

Angela was born to Salvatore and Catherine Reina on July 17, 1925. She was raised along with her two sisters, Margaret and Constance and her brother, Charles in Brooklyn, NY and later in Queens, NY. Angela had a wonderful childhood, growing up with a large extended family, with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins who all lived within walking distance. She often reminisced about the special family gatherings and all the fun they had together.

After graduation from high school, Angela attended business school and worked in downtown Manhattan in legal patent departments, to include RKO Pictures. On January 20, 1952, Angela Reina married her beloved husband, Joseph Pisarra. The couple set up their home together and raised their two daughters, Catherine and Anita Holly in Queens, NY. Angela stayed at home with her two daughters and sold real estate part time. Angela read to, listened to and taught her daughters every day. She made their holiday dresses and cooked incredible meals, to include traditional Italian dishes made from scratch. Angela later worked as a school secretary so she could have the same days off as her children. She would take her girls and her niece, Susan and nephew, Lenny to many events, to include Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall to see the holiday shows.

The Pisarra family spent many happy days at their home in upstate New York, where the family enjoyed swimming in many lakes, walking in the woods and relaxing with extended family members who would come upstate to visit. The property was said to have the largest boulder in Duchess County. Cousins Dave and Lenny set out to climb Elephant Rock, and we thankfully avoided a medical incident.

The family took a cross country driving trip in 1970. We visited the California cousins and then stopped in Albuquerque, NM to visit family. Aunt Connie and Uncle Terrell Walker shared and promoted the beauty of New Mexico with Angela and Joe, even after they returned home to New York. Angela and Joe subsequently chose New Mexico for retirement.

Upon retiring and moving to New Mexico in 1974, Angela and Joe set out to truly enjoy themselves. They joined a travel club and visited national and state parks, campsites, and lakes all over the southwest. They stayed active dancing with their square-dancing club, attending local theatre, and playing scrabble and card games with family and friends. The couple travelled to Hong Kong for their 25th wedding anniversary.

Angela returned to work after the passing of her beloved husband, where she worked at the US Corps of Engineers and ultimately retired from the US Department of Energy, Legal Department. In her 2nd retirement, Angela visited with her siblings, Margaret, Connie and husband, Tom and with Charles and Cornelia Reina at their beautiful Florida home. Angela loved these reunions and especially loved it when her family visited her in New Mexico. She spent many happy days with visits from Margaret where they would see the sights and talk for hours in the kitchen about cooking and reminiscing about the old days. It is notable that Uncle Charles flew out with Aunt Cornelia, and their son, Doug so that Charles could walk both of his nieces down the aisle at their respective weddings after their father, Joe Pisarra had passed away.

Angela took trips to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand and took many cruises to include the Panama Canal and Alaska. She had an adventurous spirit since she was young and taught us not to be afraid of living your best life.

Angela volunteered at the Church of the Risen Savior with the Women's Guild, Altar Rosary Society, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. It amused the family that Angela was often the one asked to drive to the places around town to see if people qualified to receive assistance with rent and utilities. She explained to us that even in her 70's she was one of the younger volunteers who could still drive and walk up to 2nd floor units to meet with people.

Angela was preceded in death by her parents, Salvatore, and Catherine Reina; sisters, Margaret Postiglione (husband, Lenny) and Constance Simmons (husband, Tom); beloved husband, Joseph Pisarra; and great-granddaughter, Savanna Lily. Angela was blessed with a large and loving family and leaves behind daughter, Catherine Mary De Oreo and husband, Victor of Rio Rancho, daughter, Hon. Anita Holly Reina (ret) of Albuquerque; seven loving and beautiful grandchildren, Victoria De Oreo, Rev. James De Oreo, Joseph Frantz, Daniel Frantz, Julianna Molina, Juanita Emily Frantz, and Crystal Frantz; eight loving and beautiful great-grandchildren; brother, Charles Reina and wife, Cornelia Reina (who Angela thought of as a sister); first cousin, Donna Reina of Albuquerque; and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, too numerous to name.

Angela resided in her later years at Brookdale Assisted Living where she was friends with many residents and staff. Angela spread love and joy throughout her life. Family meant everything to her. She was extremely proud of her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. We are grateful for every moment we spent with her and value everything she taught us. She will be in our hearts for eternity and be forever missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Albuquerque.