Biography

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, MARIA N. RIVERA, 58, of Las Cruces left her dwelling place on earth and entered eternal life to be with her heavenly Father, Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at the Advanced Care Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 15, 1953 in Porvenir, Chihuahua, Mexico. Ms. Rivera was a laborer and member of the Catholic Church.

Those left to mourn her passing include seven daughters, Rosaura Castañeda and husband Martin, Patricia Nuñez and husband Emilio, Margarita Chavez, Monica Chavez and husband Jevon Lewis, Mariana Rivera and husband Chris Milo, Amelia Rivera and husband Edgar Figueroa all of Las Cruces, Michelle Velasquez and husband Oscar of El Paso, Texas; two brothers, Pablo Chavez of Porvenir, Chihuahua, Mexico, Juan Chavez of Carlsbad; three sisters, Maria Guadalupe Banda and Irene Gonzalez both of Las Cruces; Dolores Vidana of Midland, Texas. Other survivors include nineteen grandchildren; one great granddaughter as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Alicia Moreno and two brothers, Enrique and Urbano Chavez.

Visitation for Ms. Rivera will begin at 10 AM Friday (today), November 25, 2011 in Our Lady of Health Catholic Church, 1178 N. Mesquite Street where the Prayer Vigil is scheduled for 10:30 AM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated the same morning at 11 AM with the Fathers of the Augustinian Recollects officiating. Cremation will follow and inurnment of cremains will take place at a later date.

Serving as casket bearers will be Martin Castañeda, Emilio Nuñez, Oscar R.Velasquez, Jevon Lewis, Chris Milo and Edgar Figueroa.