Bernardita Roque Reyes

Bernardita Roque Reyes passed on May 21, 2026, at the age of 83. She was a resident of San Jose, California.

Born on June 11, 1942 in Malabon City, Philippines, Bernardita Roque Reyes was the second born child to Eduardo Reyes and Carmen Roque Reyes. She is preceded in death by her parents and by her eldest brother Expedito Reyes and survived by her younger siblings Jose Claro Reyes, Concepcion Reyes Borlaza, and Antonio Reyes.

Dita, as she was known to many, helped support her family at age 16 in a cigar factory. Later she studied to become a midwife. After graduating from the midwife program at Fabella Memorial Hospital, she gained the trust of a doctor and his wife to be their live-in nanny. While working at The Malabon Public Health Center, she developed rapport with patients who later would become friendships after caring for the mothers so closely. She was honored to be godmother to several of the babies she witnessed be delivered. Dita worked at the center until 1980, when she and her brother Jose migrated to San Jose, California and were reunited with their Dad and sister, Concepcion.

Dita continued to care for patients bedside as she was trained and worked as a certified nursing assistant at Alexian Brothers Hospital and Parkview Convalescent Home until retirement. It was in Dita’s nature, to create lifelong friendships and foster deep connections with individuals, both patients and coworkers alike. She was committed to living a life caring for others.

In the 1990s, Dita dedicated herself to the 3rd Order Franciscan family (Secular Franciscans) as a lay woman who made the public commitment to live the Gospel following the rule of St. Francis. Prayer was her strength and in that alone she believed she could endure anything with God beside her.

Dita was a cancer survivor. She overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1998. Though she battled through radiation, chemotherapies, and surgeries, she remained steadfast in her faith. Daily mass was a ritual for her, and until her last days to do so, she attended mass at St. Athanasius with her brother, Jose.

Her charm, laughter, and undeniable free spirit will surely be missed. One of her last notable messages documented was: “Somebody up there loves me”. Dita, thank you for the years of your love and generosity, we hope you know so many people here on earth love you too.