Mary M. Rivera

Mary M. Rivera, 93 a loving wife, mother, daughter, grandmother and great-grandmother of Las Cruces, NM was reunited with her husband in Heaven Tuesday morning October 16, 2012. She was born to Charles and Delphine Montoya in Dona Ana, NM on August 21, 1919. Mary enjoyed exercising, bingo, crocheting, laughing and dancing. She was a caring hostess, always greeting guests in her home with her beautiful smile and a warm meal. It never mattered what time of day or night anyone stopped over, she was always ready to serve up her tasty chili and tortillas. Yep, and those delicious empanadas, biscochos and that wonderful posole on Christmas Eve. Mary was a devoted catholic and a member of the Cathedral of The Immaculate Heart of Mary Altar Society. We remember her standing by the ironing board with her can of spray starch ironing the altar linens with perfect and crisp creases. Her pride was her family; nothing made Mary happier than having her family around her, cooking dinners and baking wonderful desserts for all to enjoy. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She will be remembered with the songs she sang to our children as we pass them on to our grandchildren and her most infectious laughter as she watched I Love Lucy. It always made all of us laugh just to watch her. I LOVE YOU, MIJA Mary is survived her son, Albert Rivera and his wife Carol of Phoenix, AZ., daughters, Lulu Gardner and husband Bill of Albuquerque, NM, Bobbi Silva and husband Sammy of Las Cruces, NM, Stella Valencia of Albuquerque, NM and Loretta (Lorie) Nash and her husband Kenny of Las Cruces, NM. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Alberto in 1996, her parents and siblings, Charlie, Ella, Fita, Benny and Bertha. A visitation will be held from 5-7 pm on Friday October 19, 2012 at Getz Funeral Home where a prayer vigil will follow at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday October 20, 2012 at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The rite of committal and Christian burial will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. The honor of being a Pallbearer goes to Bill Gardner, William Gardner, Kenny Nash, Sammy Silva, Fernie Quintela, Xavier Quintela and Zach Baker. PDF Printable Version