On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the world lost a radiant light, a beacon of warmth and joy, when Reina Berube of Bristol, Connecticut, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 37. For those fortunate enough to know Reina, her passing is not only a devastating personal loss but also the departure of a rare soul whose love, laughter, and presence elevated the lives of everyone she touched.
With her sudden death, Reina leaves behind her precious daughter, Izabella, who was the absolute center of her world, as well as her devoted parents, Brian and Donna Berube; her loving siblings Michelle, Leah, and Ryan; her adoring in-laws Nicholas DiCicco, Antonio Whitt, and Kara Berube; and her beloved nieces and nephews—Natalie, Nathan, Ella, Mila, and Julian—who saw their Aunt Reina not only as a relative but a radiant role model, confidante, and source of boundless joy.
Yet even this list of cherished family doesn’t begin to encompass the multitude of lives Reina touched as a friend, hairstylist, community member, and confidante. Her light reached far and wide—through her work, her celebrations, her talents, her kindness, and most enduringly, through her love.
Reina Michelle Berube was born on November 12, 1987, and was the long-awaited and deeply adored only child of Brian and Donna Berube. From the very beginning, Reina exuded vibrancy—an exuberance that made her unmistakably unique. She grew up surrounded by love, laughter, and the warm embrace of her extended family. Reina’s earliest years were defined by her creativity, sense of humor, and magnetic energy, which drew others to her like moths to a flame.
Bristol was not just where Reina was born—it was where she flourished. From the moment she could walk and talk, she embraced life in her hometown with unfiltered joy. She attended Bristol Eastern High School, graduating with the Class of 2005, a year marked by her many friendships, community involvement, and unmistakable flair for expression. Her style, charisma, and spirit made her stand out, but it was her kindness that made her unforgettable.
Whether she was attending pep rallies, choreographing dances for school events, or simply walking through the hallways with a contagious smile, Reina brought a spark that couldn’t be replicated. Her friends remember her not just as fun-loving, but as fiercely loyal—someone who always showed up, who always listened, and who never let anyone feel alone.
After high school, Reina made a pivotal choice that would not only shape her career but also fulfill her innate desire to help others feel confident and loved. She enrolled at the Brio Academy of Cosmetology, where her passion for hairstyling, beauty, and human connection took root. Reina was more than just a stylist—she was a true artist with an intuitive ability to bring out the best in others.
Her time at Brio cemented what many already knew: Reina had a natural gift. She wasn’t content with merely learning techniques—she mastered them and made them her own. She believed that beauty wasn’t about trends or standards but about confidence, personality, and authenticity.
Reina’s career flourished in the years that followed. She launched her own business, Hair by Rayna, where her skills and heart found a perfect harmony. Clients didn’t just come for haircuts or color—they came for connection. Her chair became a safe space for stories, laughter, even tears. She had the rare ability to turn a simple appointment into a transformative experience. Her clients—many of whom became lifelong friends—often said they left not only looking better but feeling better, too.
Most recently, Reina joined the team at Nauticuts in Bristol. Her coworkers became family, and her regular clients were part of her extended tribe. The salon echoed with her music, her laughter, and her affirmations of encouragement. “Come in as a client, leave as a friend” wasn’t just a slogan—it was Reina’s ethos. She lived it every day with sincerity and grace.
If Reina had a greatest love in her life, it was undoubtedly her daughter, Izabella. Known affectionately as Bella, she was Reina’s pride, her joy, her everything. The bond between them was something extraordinary—rooted in trust, mutual respect, and an infinite well of love.
From the moment Bella entered the world, Reina embraced motherhood with a fierce, protective passion. She wasn’t just a mother—she was Bella’s biggest cheerleader, dance partner, life coach, and best friend. Their shared moments were filled with joy—whether dancing in the kitchen, getting ready for recitals, laughing during car rides, or planning Bella’s future dreams.
Reina poured herself into every aspect of Bella’s life. She never missed a milestone—school events, birthdays, competitions, or late-night chats about college, friends, and life’s big questions. Bella’s recent acceptance into a Connecticut state university was a moment of immense pride for Reina. She celebrated the achievement not as her daughter’s success alone, but as a continuation of their shared journey.
Friends say Reina often spoke about Bella with glowing pride. “She’s my heart outside my body,” Reina once said. That bond, now unbreakable by even death, remains a profound legacy of love that Bella will carry with her forever.
To Reina, family wasn’t just important—it was sacred. Her parents, Brian and Donna, were not only her guides through life but her constant support and best friends. Their bond was deepened over countless home-cooked meals, family vacations, and quiet evenings just enjoying each other’s company. Reina loved her parents with a fullness that was always evident to anyone who saw them together.
She shared a special closeness with her siblings—Michelle, Leah, and Ryan—that transcended age and distance. Whether it was girls’ nights with her sisters, texting memes to her brother, or planning family get-togethers, Reina was the glue that held so many family moments together. Her in-laws—Nicholas DiCicco, Antonio Whitt, and Kara Berube—were welcomed into her heart with the same warmth she extended to everyone.
And to her nieces and nephews—Natalie, Nathan, Ella, Mila, and Julian—Reina was magic. She attended dance recitals, birthday parties, sports games, and school events with the same enthusiasm she gave to everything. She brought crafts, music, treats, and laughter. She made every child feel like the center of the universe. Her love for them was limitless and unshakable.
If you ever went to a party where Reina was present, chances are you remembered her. She had a way of lighting up a room not with extravagance but with authenticity. She danced like no one was watching—and then made sure everyone joined her. She DJed local events, spun tracks for private parties, and curated playlists that were the perfect backdrop to joyful memories.
Reina’s summers were especially cherished. Floating peacefully in the pool, surrounded by friends and family, often with her daughter nearby and the grill sizzling in the background—these were Reina’s happy places. She adored gatherings hosted at her family’s home, where her mother Donna’s legendary homemade dishes brought everyone together and Reina’s energy elevated every moment.
Whether it was a small brunch or a large party, Reina always made people feel welcome. She remembered your birthday, your favorite dessert, your kid’s name, and what you were worried about last month. She was present. And that presence—intentional, loving, joyful—left a lasting mark on everyone.
Reina Berube’s passing has left a silence in places that were once filled with laughter, music, and love. Her absence is felt profoundly—not just in the homes of her loved ones but in the hearts of her community.
Yet Reina’s story does not end here. It lives on through Bella’s ambitions, through the laughter of her nieces and nephews, through every client who walks away feeling beautiful because of the self-worth Reina instilled in them, and through the countless lives she touched without fanfare or expectation.
In the words of one of her closest friends: “Reina didn’t just live—she radiated. And now it’s our turn to carry that light forward.”
A Celebration of Life will be held at [Location TBD] on [Date TBD], where friends, family, and loved ones will gather to honor Reina’s beautiful life. All are welcome to attend and share their memories. Attendees are encouraged to wear bright colors in honor of Reina’s vibrant personality.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be made to charities and causes that reflect Reina’s life of love, service, and community connection. These will be announced shortly.
Reina Berube was not just a person; she was a force of nature. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her, and her light will continue to shine through the love and joy she shared with the world.
