Marlyn Reyes, 49, of Worcester, died Monday (September 10, 2007) at UMass Medical Center after an illness.
     She leaves her son, Hector Orlando Cordero-Reyes, Jr.; her mother and father, Lydia and Hector Reyes; her sisters, Christina Rivera, Lydia Reyes, Guanina Reyes; her nieces, Serena and Emelyn Rivera, Jaelyn Henry-Reyes; her nephews, Alexio Rivera, Anthony Reyes, and Shawn Johnson; and brother-in-laws, Amador Rivera and Eric Prue. She also leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins, her beloved friends, her Avon family and colleagues, and precious cat Simba.
     Marlyn was born into one of the first Hispanic families to migrate to Worcester in the early 1960s. She learned the importance of community service and youth development from her parents who were instrumental in the founding of several Latino organizations. She developed a number of youth programs (fashion show fundraisers, the first Latino youth group and managed the first Latino break dance group (The Block Boys)) and was selected to represent the YWCA as a Y-Teen at National and International Youth Events.
     She attended various Catholic schools including Venerini Academy, and played Varsity Basketball for North High School. She was the first female participant in the Central Mass. I.B.E.W. Apprenticeship Program. She received her bachelor's degree in Communications and Computer Science from Worcester State College and her Masters degree in Business Administration from Assumption College.
     Marlyn was a competitive salsa and disco dancer, participating in Northeastern contests and teaching at Fred Astaire's Dance Studio. She was one of New England's top models for 10 years, modeling in print, television, runway, and bridal expos; represented by LaFemmina and John Casablanca Modeling Agencies. She taught step aerobics at the YWCA, she also produced several episodes of Ultisimo, a seasonal fashion program at WCCA TV.
     Marlyn had a long record of community service – serving as a member of Regional Board of Directors for the YWCA of Central Massachusetts; Chair of the New Leaders Institute, responsible for the development of new emerging leaders for Worcester; Corporator of the Worcester Art Museum. She was an avid patron of the arts and attended several theater productions around the world.
     Marlyn was the Project Director of the Worcester Latino Voter Registration and Education Project, which helped to triple the registered and voting Latino residents. She was also a founder of OISTE, the first statewide Latino political organization in Massachusetts, and received recognitions such as the Dollars for Scholars Achievement Award in 2001 and the Community Catalyst Award in 2000.
     Marlyn was selected to participate in the National Hispana Leadership Institute's 2003 Fellowship Program. – only 20 women are selected each year from around the country. NHLI is the premier leadership development program for Hispanic women in the United States. The program prepares selected Hispanic women who have demonstrated leadership at the local level for positions of national influence and public policy impact.
     Marlyn was also appointed to the Board of Directors for the prestigious 100 Hispanic Women in New York City.
     Marlyn had more than 21 years of service with Avon. She was hired on June 2, 1986, and began her Avon career as a District Sales Manager. Avon recognized Marlyn with Circle of Excellence Awards in 1987, 1992, 1996 – top 10% sales results among regional District Sales Managers.
     She was promoted to a Division Sales Manager role in 2001. Her incredible work ethic and drive earned her the World Sales Leader distinction in 2006. Marlyn had an exceptionally positive spirit, and was an inspiration to her 20 District Sales Managers, over 8,000 Avon Representatives, and over 66,000 customers. Her careers enabled her to travel the world.
     Marlyn pushed the envelope as a pioneering first-generation Puerto Rican-American role model for everybody who was touched by her legacy.
     Marlyn's funeral will be held Monday from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. with a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 AM in Our Lady Of Mt Carmel-St Ann Church, 24 Mulberry St. Calling hours in the funeral home are from 4-8 PM on Sunday. Burial next to her grandmother and cousins will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marlyn Reyes Memorial Benevolent Fund, 4 Harvard Drive, Auburn, MA 01501.