Integration Three


Will Always Be Remembered

Today we come together to celebrate the life of a genuine individual. She leaves a huge
emptiness in the hearts of all of us, but we must keep her in our memory. She deserves these words due
to her vibrant energy, caring soul, and desire to serve those around her. We have gathered to remember
her, so that we may continue to live our lives as she did. A life �lled with gratitude, joy, and love.

Regina, Reg, Regis, Gallina was beautiful inside and out. It may sound cliche, but you could
feel her energy whenever she was near. Her radiant smile and loving personality would light up the
room. She was bubbly, funny, talkative, and just like no other. Ever since she was a little girl, she would
face challenges head on. Not a day went by where she did not show this determination and persistency.
Regina was inclined to tackle any obstacle and ambitious to leave a legacy behind. She graduated from
the University of Notre Dame with a degree in mechanical engineering, and proceeded to get her MBA
at Stanford. She took this knowledge to tackle problems in our society such as helping with the water
crisis. Regina was able to unite our community even more with her great desire for peace.  Just like
Father Hesburgh,  she “loved to watch people who didn’t agree with anything get in a room and bridge
all of that” (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley, Moreau FYE Week Two). She had the
ability to create peace even there was no sign of it. She was the catalyst that everyone needed. Regina
was able to unite everyone regardless of their ethnicity, belief and culture.

Regina lived a life well-lived as she was a loving mother to her two daughters, a supportive wife,
and a leader in her community. Regina never failed to aid her neighbors, and spread the love and peace
that our world greatly craves. She enjoyed life, and made the most of it. Regina knew that she had one
life, and that if she was going to live it, she was going to live it with a smile on her face. She knew that
there was going to be a day where she would no longer be part of this world. As Sister Aletheia said,
“We naturally tend to think of our lives as kind of continuing and continuing…Remembering death
keeps us awake, focused, and ready for whatever might happen — both the excruciatingly di�cult and
the breathtakingly beautiful” (“Meet the Nun Who Wants You to Remember You Will Die” by Ruth
Graham - Moreau FYE Week Three). By knowing the limited time that one has, she never turned down
an opportunity. Living in three di�erent countries, all with di�erent native languages, she took the
time and e�ort to learn how to communicate and get around. She participated in all the sports
tournaments, trips, and international events. While many others could have locked themselves in the
room and live in the past, she did the opposite. Mending friendships with anyone who would cross her
way, and never hesitating to take the initiative to be someone you could count on. She lived by the
words of Pope Francis, “The Future You: the future is made of yous, it is made of encounters because
life �ows through our relations with others” (“Why the only future worth building includes everyone”
TED Talk by Pope Francis - Moreau FYE Week Seven). She found it essential not to limit herself to a
certain friend group, but rather open herself uo to meeting new people and learning from them. She

https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html
https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript


believed that humanity is meant to form deep connections and should always be based on goodness
and love. She reminded herself daily that any day she could not wake up, and for that exact reason,
there was never a time she didn’t say bye without including the word “love”. Regina was the person
who wanted you to know that you were in her heart. There was never a time she would not worry for
others problems, and not reserve a time to help them. She was a constant reminder to live your life to
the fullest.

Regina was an individual who was deep in her roots. Growing up in the South, attending
school in Europe, and going back to Mexico, she managed to stay connected to the latino culture. No
matter how far she was she was always connected to her home. Her de�nition of home was not a place,
but rather the people in it. She never lost love for any of the three countries she lived in because of the
friendships she created there. She would always �nd a way to connect with old friends, and put forth
constant e�ort to keep her relationships. Regina lived by this quote, “The places that move us most
deeply are often the ones we recognize like long-lost friends; we come to them with a piercing sense of
familiarity, as if returning to some source we already know” (“Why We Need to Slow Down Our Lives”
by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). Whatever part in the world she was, she would �nd this sense of
familiarity as she would meet one more person she could call a friend.

Eventhough Regina was always everywhere, she would always make time for herself. She knew
the importance of what she would call “me” time. She would devote time for herself to hit the gym,
cook new meals, or try new activities. She was an adventure junkie, and always put self-care �rst.
However, she would do all of this to an extent as she knew that “We can spend endless amounts of time
in self-re�ection but emerge with no more self-insight than when we started”(“The right way to be
introspective (yes, there’s a wrong way)” by Tasha Eurich - Moreau Week Six). Regina kept her
journals, but there was always a time she would stop, think, and breathe.

Regina lived her last chapters with a smile on her face. She never forgot the importance of
having fun, and always found joy in everything. So, I invite all of you, to do the same so you can be
remembered the way she was.

https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/
https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/#:~:text=We%20can%20spend%20endless%20amounts,of%20Sydney%20psychologist%20Anthony%20M.
https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/#:~:text=We%20can%20spend%20endless%20amounts,of%20Sydney%20psychologist%20Anthony%20M.