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Azucena Reyes Anteola, who proudly worked with the U.S. military for 40 years and was even more dedicated to loving and caring for her family and friends, died Dec. 21, 2023. She was 72 years old. Mrs. Anteola, whose nickname was Zeny, battled various health issues for much of the past five years, including serious back surgery in the summer of 2023 and a second round against Myeloma cancer. A fighter her entire life, Zeny always pushed through any pain, enduring intense physical therapy as well as multiple hospital visits and treatments. It was not until her last trip to the hospital that Zeny finally got to rest in peace as Jesus welcomed her into the Kingdom of Heaven. Zeny, a woman of strong faith, believed God blessed her with a good life so she could help and inspire others. She served 20 years in the Air Force, winning various awards and honors throughout her decorated career, including U.S. Air Force Services Superintendent of the Year in 1990. Zeny reached a ranking as high as Senior Master Sergeant. She had the opportunity to be promoted to the highest level rank of Chief Master Sergeant and become the first minority female to achieve this role in her career field of services. However, the role would have stationed her away from her family, so Zeny declined the promotion and chose family over career advancement. In 1993, Senior Master Sergeant Anteola retired from Air Force active duty. Zeny then worked in civil service for the next 20 years, managing the finances for airplane part purchases and serving as a lead logistics management specialist. Though she accomplished a lot in her extensive career, Zeny would say her greatest achievement is her family and kids. She was married to Johnny Anteola Jr. for 50 years. They met at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California. And though the two had a chaperone awkwardly join them on their first date, their relationship blossomed. At the back of an old photo album, Zeny expressed her love for her dearest husband with a handwritten poem. "Because you mean so much to me In every single way The love that's in my heart Grows deeper every day" Together, Johnny and Zeny had three children – Veronica, Bryant-Jon and Christopher. They made sure the kids were raised in a fun, safe and loving household with help from Zeny's youngest sister Susan and their mother "Nanay," who lived with them for some time. Years later, Zeny was ecstatic the Lord blessed her with grandchildren. "Grandma Zeny" was filled with joy while sharing her unconditional love with Carina Senia, Matteo Anteola, Leopold Anteola and Lenya "Azucena" Anteola. She made sure each grandchild as a baby heard her sing her happy little song "A jing, a jing, a jing." Zeny loved spending time with her grandchildren in person and virtually. She eagerly accepted calls to watch them through FaceTime and Google Duo and sometimes looked at pictures and replayed videos of them over and over on her cell phone to help her fall asleep. "They make me smile and be relaxed," Zeny wrote in a text. "They're good therapy, mental & emotional." In addition to raising her family, Zeny always made sure to take care of her other relatives. As the eldest of five children from father Jesse Reyes and mother Fausta Santos Reyes, Zeny felt a responsibility to take care of each of her siblings as much as she could. She was also generous toward extended family and distant relatives, whether sending money to those in the Philippines, treating large groups of family to meals at a restaurant, or cooking and serving Filipino food when visiting her home. Zeny always hoped her acts of generosity would serve as an example for other family members to follow. But more than anything, Zeny simply wanted to share her love. She enjoyed telling stories in an animated fashion, often drawing laughs from those listening. She took sincere interest in hearing how family members and friends were doing, and always prayed for each of them. She especially loved talking on the phone with her sisters Magdalena Haskins and Susan Eubanks, sister-in-law Helen Almanzor, longtime best friend Virginia Winstead and her "Mare BFF" Isadora "Ched" Anselmo. Zeny also took pleasure in watching people enjoy the food she prepared. Among her memorable dishes were Filipino plates like: pancit made with canton noodles and chicken and shrimp, lumpia filled with ground beef and some chopped vegetables, chicken or pork adobo, as well as sinigang, pinakbet, kare-kare and afritada. "Your Mom's cooking is the best," husband Johnny Anteola often would say. Many of her coworkers over the years agreed, lining up quickly during office potlucks to make sure they got to try some of Zeny's food. Among the loving relatives who Zeny is survived by is her close niece Elaine Eubanks, who took gentle care of her "Auntie Zeny" as her health declined. "Lola Zeny" also felt a close bond with her great-niece Tennessee, who was essentially an honorary grandchild. "I'm so lucky to have beautiful grandchildren," Grandma Zeny often said. "My grandchildren are my blessing." During her final days on earth, Zeny opened a few Christmas presents from her grandkids and hugged them tight. She expressed to her daughter-in-law Leigh Anteola how happy and proud she was that her grandchildren had become so loving, caring and giving. Zeny always got emotional and teary-eyed when she had to part ways with her family, whether after lengthy trips or short vacations. But she never wanted people to worry about her. She just hoped that her loved ones would always look out for each other. "Love you all so much," Zeny wrote in a text following one of her trips to California. "Take care. Already missing you guys." In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation give.themmrf.org @ https://themmrf.org/?campaign=470475 Reception to follow at Lin's International Buffet 7915 W. Loop 1604 N San Antonio, TX 78254

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Azucena Reyes Anteola

November 4, 1951 - December 21, 2023