Almaida Vallines Reyes

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Almaida Vallines Reyes. Almaida, surrounded by her loved ones, passed away on January 16th, 2025 at the age of 95 in Orlando, Florida. 

 Almaida was born in Morovis, Puerto Rico to Vidal Vallines and Nestar Reyes on November 25th, 1929. She was one of 7 siblings and raised in the gorgeous countryside of Puerto Rico. Before finishing high school, she travelled to New York City where she worked to help support her family. After several years, she returned to her home in Puerto Rico to finish her schooling. Soon after, she met and fell in love with Luis Flores Gonzalez whom she would marry in 1955. Together, they had two sons. Luis Raul Flores who was born on January 12th, 1956 and Carlos Jose Flores born March 1st, 1957. 

 Almaida made her home in Bayamon, Puerto Rico where she raised her family and supported her husband in his work for the Puerto Rican government. There, she attended Iglesia Ascensión Del Señor every Sunday, participating in many church groups. She saw both of her children off to the Army in the 70s, praying for their safety as they served. Her sons both married. Raul to his childhood sweetheart and Miss Bayamon 1977, Arlene Ramirez and Carlos to Wilma Baez, a Puerto Rican from Chicago whom he met in the Army. Having had no daughters of her own, she considered Arlene and Wilma her daughters and welcomed them with open arms into her family. 

 In the 80s, Almaida was blessed with her first grandchildren. Jose Flores, Luis Flores, and Daniel Flores to Raul and Nicky Flores to Carlos. A family full of boys but like any great Abuela, she prayed for girls. Her prayers were answered when she was blessed with Mariel Flores to Raul and later Victoria Flores to Carlos. Altogether, Almaida was blessed with 6 grandchildren whom she travelled the US and even to Germany to visit and care for.

 Throughout her 95 years, Almaida continued to serve God through her prayer and stewardship. She prayed the rosary nearly every night and amassed a collection of rosaries gifted to her by her daughter-in-laws Arlene and Wilma and many other family members. In 2013, her husband of 58 years passed away in their hometown of Bayamon. He is buried in the Bayamon National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with him.

 Despite living most of her life in Puerto Rico, she moved to Orlando, Florida in 2021 to be closer to her sons and family. She lived with and was cared for by her youngest son Carlos who was her advocate and protector throughout the last years of her life. In 2024, Almaida celebrated her 95th birthday surrounded by her family and friends. She danced, laughed, and ate lots of cake and even had a little wine to go along with it. 

 Anyone who met Almaida immediately felt her love. She enjoyed playing loteria and brisca, she loved to travel and visit with her family and friends, she was silly and always joked around with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and most of all she prayed and kept God always in her heart. 

She is survived by her youngest sister Nestar “Niqui” Amezaga, her two sons Raul Flores and Carlos Flores, her daughter in law Wilma Baez, her 6 grandchildren Jose, Nicky, Luis, Danny, Mariel and Victoria, her 7 great-grandchildren Shawn, Zach, Aiden, Ethan, Dominic, Isabella, and Olivia as well as her many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Almaida’s legacy of love and compassion will continue to be felt for years to come by everyone who was blessed to know her. 

 Her Orlando service will be held on Wednesday, January 22nd at 4pm. Almaida will return to Bayamon, Puerto Rico for a funeral service at her church and burial with her husband. Details for her Puerto Rico services to come.

 In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to local children’s charities in her name. In Puerto Rico, families may donate to Hogar del Niño El Ave Maria in Bayamon.