Photos: Hundreds gather to honor "The Umbrella Lady" at Tohono Chul Park in Tucson
A memorial event was held at Tohono Chul Park on January 30, 2023 to honor the life of Lydia Reis, known to many as "The Umbrella Lady." Reis died on Jan. 8 after being struck by a vehicle on Jan. 5 along Ina Road. Many people brought umbrellas as a way to honor Reis who was always spotted with one while walking up and down Oracle Road.
Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady)
Tony Reis, left, and his brother Chris say a few words about their older sister, Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady) during a memorial event at Tohono Chul Park.
Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady)
People bow their heads as a prayer is recited to open the memorial event for Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady) at Tohono Chul Park.
Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady)
Sharon Simpson says a few words about Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady) during an open mic portion of the memorial event for Reis at Tohono Chul Park.
Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady)
Trudy Cantore, right, becomes emotional as people share stories about Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady), during a memorial event at Tohono Chul Park.
Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady)
Denise Wiscount says she printed out butterflies and pasted them onto a clear umbrella to bring to the memorial event for Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady) at Tohono Chul Park.
Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady)
A few light-hearted stories are shared about Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady) during a memorial event at Tohono Chul Park.
Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady)
Many in the crowd brought umbrellas as a way to honor Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady) during a memorial event for Reis at Tohono Chul Park.
Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady)
A painting of Lydia Reis (The Umbrella Lady) sits on an easel during a memorial event at Tohono Chul Park.
Lydia Reis
Lydia Reis in her telltale outfit was a common sight along the streets northwest of Tucson.
Lydia Reis
Pam Heidinger used a photo of Lydia Reis in a parking lot as the template for a painting with a desert setting.
Lydia Reis
A roadside memorial to the Umbrella Lady, Lydia Reis, at the southeast corner of Rudasill and Oracle roads on Jan. 10, 2023, the corner where she was frequently spotted.
Lydia Reis
A cyclists rides by the roadside memorial to the Umbrella Lady, Lydia Reis, set up at the southeast corner of Rudasill Road and Oracle Road, Tucson, Ariz., January 10, 2023, the corner where she was frequently spotted.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
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