Noemi "Noelle" Reyes

Noemi Reyes, lovingly known as “Noelle,” passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025, in North Bergen, New Jersey. She was 63 years old.

Born on December 14, 1961, in Pagadian, Zamboanga, Philippines, Noelle spent her early years in Manila before moving to Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1973 with her family. She was the daughter of the late Ricardo and Nelida Ybanez.

Noelle will be remembered most for her deep compassion and strong dedication to helping others—especially animals. She was actively involved in animal rescue and vegan advocacy throughout her life. She helped run the Chili’s on Wheels Vegan Community Fridge in Jersey City, participated in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, and volunteered with Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary. Every Thanksgiving, she made time to help feed those in need, just one of many ways she gave back to her community.

She loved reading and writing, and always stood up for the causes she believed in. Noelle had a quiet strength and determination. When she set her mind to something, she made it happen.

Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her loving husband, Jay Reyes; her daughter, Jasmin Reyes-Pascarello and her husband John; and her granddaughter, Lyra Pascarello, who brought her immense joy. She is also survived by her siblings Ruth Fussell, Anne Ybanez, and Paul Ybanez, Dondi Reyes and his wife Doreen, along with her nieces and nephews: Sasha, Alex, Megan, Hannah, Brackie, Tim, and Ian. 

Visitation will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Riotto Funeral Home, 3205 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ (for GPS use 14 Stagg Street, Jersey City, NJ 07306). Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Noemi’s memory can be made to the causes she cared most deeply about:

Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary – www.redrobinsonganimalsanctuary.org

Chili’s on Wheels – www.chilisonwheels.org/donate

Mercy for Animals – www.mercyforanimals.org/donate

Final Hope Animal Rescue – www.finalhope.org/donate

Noelle’s light lives on in every life she touched, every animal she saved, and every act of kindness she inspired. May her memory continue to be a blessing—and a call to action.