Emelina Blaize Reid

Emelina Blaize Reid passed peacefully into God’s eternal kingdom on November 15, 2022. She was 83. Emelina was born on June 30, 1939, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to George and Mary Anne E. (Mena) Blaize, the youngest daughter of eleven children. She comes from a large and distinguished family to which she was fully committed that profoundly shaped her character. She was a graduate of Erasmus High School class of 1956. After completing her secondary education, she began studying at New York University where she was an Occupational Therapy major. She had a huge affinity for helping others and a very altruistic demeanor as well, so this course of study was right in line with who she was at her core. Unfortunately, she became severely ill with Rheumatic Fever, forcing her to put her education on hold. Emelina married Hudson Reid, who was a brilliant lawyer. They wed in 1968, and their union brought forth three beloved sons: Jason in 1969, Jonathan in 1971, and Justin in 1976. While playing the role of homemaker, Emelina also took courses in a dual B.A./Master’s program in Social Work. A wonderful mother, she raised her three sons into successful working professionals. Emelina eventually transitioned to a new life in California, where she enjoyed a rich career working for her sister Thelma's catering business. She also worked for two very prominent companies specializing in the coordination/planning of Hollywood events. After retiring from the workforce, she volunteered at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. She assisted in the intensive care unit, caring for premature and terminally ill infants. In this respect, her penchant for helping others was most fully realized in the care she provided for babies who struggled at birth. Her efforts in this role were so humane, she was awarded a commendation for distinguished community service bestowed by prominent members of the Los Angeles City Council with her friend Congresswoman Maxine Waters in attendance, which brought joy to her personally and made her family and friends beam with pride. Emelina enjoyed various genres of music, and in her younger days was drawn to Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Celia Cruz, and Billie Holiday. Later in life, she was a huge fan of Josh Groban. Emelina had quite the green thumb. She was also an avid reader with a love for culture, history, religion, and world affairs. She enjoyed watching news programs, legal dramas, sitcoms, and classic movies. Her skills cooking various types of cuisine are legendary, and she thoroughly enjoyed providing delicious sustenance for those she cared about. She was devoutly religious, connected to her Christian faith, and transferred her virtuous nature to everyone she interacted with. Most significantly, she stressed the importance of family, loved ones, and being a positive individual in all aspects of life. This helped make those around her better people, and in turn the world a better place. Emelina was preceded in death by her parents as well as brothers James, John, Fred, Henry, her sisters Mary, Rose, Ethelena, and her twin Elena. She is survived by her three children Jason, Jonathan, Justin, her grandchildren Josh and Maya, her older sister Thelma, her younger brother Daniel, and her brother-in-law Wesley. She will be sorely missed, but always treasured and remembered.

Emelina Blaize Reid

June 30, 1939 - November 15, 2022