Lori Ann Rea of Mesa, AZ, passed away on November 25, 2020. She was born January 25, 1964 in Pasco, WA, to Paul and Barbara Rea. She grew up in a military family and lived many places in the USA as well as in Germany and Italy. As an adult she has lived in Bellingham, WA and Mesa, AZ. Lori earned and teaching degree from Western Washington University. Starting in college, she worked for ten years at a group home for mentally and physically handicapped children. She then became a kindergarten teacher for Mesa Public School District. Lori enjoyed reading, going to see musicals and theater, crafts, her cat Ra Ra, traveling and being with friends and family. Lori is preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Ann Rea. She will be dearly missed by her father, Paul William Rea and her sister, Robin Michelle Rea. No services are planned at this time. Please make a donation in Lori’s honor to Mesa Public Libraries at mesalibrary.org/donate.
So sorry to hear of Lori’s passing. Lori was the last teacher I got to work with before I left Sousa. She was so good with her Kindergarten kiddos. She loved them and was so patient with them. Lori was a special lady and will truly be missed. Rest easy Ms. Rea
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Lori Rea was one of my dearest friends from college. She was so willing to help and laugh. She taught me so much about self confidence by not always having it herself. She experienced struggles in her early life that she handled with grace and humor. On one of our visits to her in Arizona she said take my car while your here. I’m not using it. Followed by her familiar line, “Really, it’s no big deal.” Your friendship was a really big deal. Love you forever! ❤️ – Linda Banks
My deepest sympathies to Lori’s sister and Dad. It is so hard to believe that she’s gone. Lori was one of my best friends and we had known each other for over 35 years. We kept in touch by phone and occasional visits. We loved to catch up and never managed a short phone call. I last saw Lori in February on a visit to Mesa with my sister. We had a great visit and I am so thankful to have had the chance to see her. Lori and I shared a love of musicals, reading, and travel. I have many fond memories of shared trips, attending musicals, ballet, concerts, and movies together, and visits with our group of college friends. She was generous and kind, giving of herself to her family, friends, students and the community. In recent years, Lori volunteered at her local library and with a cat adoption group. She was a wonderful friend. Thanks for all the great memories, Lori. I will always miss you.
Lori was such a sweet and dear friend. I am so Thankful that I was able to visit her in February with my sister. We had a great time together. My kids grew up during our frienship and they always appreciated and loved her too. I, my husband Allan and our kids and families will always miss her and her amazing friendship. Love you Lori!
Dear Robin,
I’m a classmate of Lori Rea ’82 from Forrest Sherman High School in Naples, Italy. I just happened to stumble across her obituary looking for her when I saw that her 1981 and 1982 yearbooks were on sale on ebay. I was saddened to learn of her death in November. I was in choir with her when she won the award for best singer her senior year. I reconnected briefly with Lori in 2008 and had lunch with her that summer. If there will be a funeral in the Phoenix metro area, please let me know as I live locally in the east valley. If she’s buried here, let me know where and which plot and I’ll make a trip to her grave this summer to pay my respects. You will be happy to know that a classmate from the class of 1982 bought her 1982 log off of ebay so that yearbook will remain in the Wildcat family.
Sincerely,
Tawnya Michie Kumarakulasingam ’83
So sorry to hear of Lori’s passing. Lori was the last teacher I got to work with before I left Sousa. She was so good with her Kindergarten kiddos. She loved them and was so patient with them. Lori was a special lady and will truly be missed. Rest easy Ms. Rea
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Lori Rea was one of my dearest friends from college. She was so willing to help and laugh. She taught me so much about self confidence by not always having it herself. She experienced struggles in her early life that she handled with grace and humor. On one of our visits to her in Arizona she said take my car while your here. I’m not using it. Followed by her familiar line, “Really, it’s no big deal.” Your friendship was a really big deal. Love you forever! ❤️ – Linda Banks
My deepest sympathies to Lori’s sister and Dad. It is so hard to believe that she’s gone. Lori was one of my best friends and we had known each other for over 35 years. We kept in touch by phone and occasional visits. We loved to catch up and never managed a short phone call. I last saw Lori in February on a visit to Mesa with my sister. We had a great visit and I am so thankful to have had the chance to see her. Lori and I shared a love of musicals, reading, and travel. I have many fond memories of shared trips, attending musicals, ballet, concerts, and movies together, and visits with our group of college friends. She was generous and kind, giving of herself to her family, friends, students and the community. In recent years, Lori volunteered at her local library and with a cat adoption group. She was a wonderful friend. Thanks for all the great memories, Lori. I will always miss you.
Lori was such a sweet and dear friend. I am so Thankful that I was able to visit her in February with my sister. We had a great time together. My kids grew up during our frienship and they always appreciated and loved her too. I, my husband Allan and our kids and families will always miss her and her amazing friendship. Love you Lori!
Dear Robin,
I’m a classmate of Lori Rea ’82 from Forrest Sherman High School in Naples, Italy. I just happened to stumble across her obituary looking for her when I saw that her 1981 and 1982 yearbooks were on sale on ebay. I was saddened to learn of her death in November. I was in choir with her when she won the award for best singer her senior year. I reconnected briefly with Lori in 2008 and had lunch with her that summer. If there will be a funeral in the Phoenix metro area, please let me know as I live locally in the east valley. If she’s buried here, let me know where and which plot and I’ll make a trip to her grave this summer to pay my respects. You will be happy to know that a classmate from the class of 1982 bought her 1982 log off of ebay so that yearbook will remain in the Wildcat family.
Sincerely,
Tawnya Michie Kumarakulasingam ’83