Julie Reynolds

Julieta Luz Leyva Reynolds, known as Julie, passed away on December 22, 2023, at the age of 85 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, comadre, and colleague who touched the lives of many through her passionate spirit and devotion to work, friends, and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Helen Hernandez and Betty Chavez, her granddaughter Julieann, and her dear friends Lourdes and Wayne McClintock. She is survived by her husband Jerry, her children Jerry Reynolds, Jr., Daniel Reynolds, and Jerusha (Matthew) Rawlings, her grandchildren Grayson and Cole Rawlings, her nieces and nephews, and her dearest friends, John Hogan and Martha Campos Hogan.

Julie was born on May 29, 1938, and raised in Texas in El Paso’s El Segundo Barrio to parents Julio and Luz Leyva. From an early age, she exhibited a rebellious zest for life that would follow her throughout her years. As a teenager, Julie found solace and joy in the vibrant sounds of jazz. Her love and encyclopedic knowledge of the genre would remain with her throughout her life.

Julie met Jerry, the love of her life, as well as others who would become lifelong friends, at the Don Felix Bar in Juarez, Mexico on January 6, 1962. Julie and Jerry shared a love of humor, music, salsa dancing, reading, art, and the desert southwest that would sustain their relationship for almost 62 years. They traveled all over Mexico and made frequent trips to Santa Fe, New Mexico, ultimately building a little house on the prairie that they enjoyed regularly.

Julie started as a legal secretary soon after high school. She began working for attorneys David Briones, who became a Senior United States District Judge in 1994, and Paul C. Moreno, who served as a Texas State Representative for 40 years, lending her special brand of unwavering support and dedication to their careers. It was her work as a legislative aide, organizing countless fundraisers and working with influential politicians and civil rights leaders, including Ann Richards, Cesar Chavez, and Dolores Huerta, that would inspire her to champion the rights of farmworkers, working people, people with disabilities, and people of color. Julie advocated for her Chicano community and embraced opportunities to make a difference. 

If you were a colleague, a friend, or family, Julie was your staunchest supporter. She put your needs before her own at every turn. She was a one-of-a-kind, no-holds-barred example of unconditional love, whose unique sense of humor and forthrightness will be dearly missed.