Jun 26, 1956 – Sep 30, 2024
Maria Cruz Rivas was born on June 26, 1956, in Buena Vista, Queretaro, Mexico to her parents, J. Trinidad Balderas Pacheco and Telesfora Moya Pacheco. She immigrated to the United States in 1972 at the young age of 16 years old.
Maria later married Jose I. Rivas on June 26, 1985. And they settled in South San Francisco CA. where they raised three beautiful children together; Maria, Alberto “Tito”, and Allison.
She loved to learn and had a passion for education, attending night classes at City College for 10 years until she was able to receive her AA on May 22, 2009. Maria worked for Farmers Insurance, partnering with her husband, Jose, as an insurance agent. She would later rise in the ranks and become a District Manager for Christopher Cayabayab, until the final months of her life.
Maria proudly became a United States Citizen on October 22, 2014.
Maria had a deep faith in Christ which led her to the doors of Templo De La Fe in San Francisco CA. A church that she attended for 50 years, sharing her gifts of singing and teaching. Maria also served her church community as a Missionettes Sponsor and the Vice-Coordinator, Treasurer and President of the Ushers.
Outside of church, Maria also served her community by volunteering for the Red Cross and Americorps. Maria taught first-aid, CPR, emergency preparation, and disaster preparedness for many years.
But Maria’s greatest joy in life was her family. In addition to her children, she was also a grandmother to 10 grandchildren; Jose Antonio, Elijah, Fernanda, Monse, Nicole, Nayelli, Eva, AJ, Addison, and Audriana. And, of course, her protector Dublin.
Maria is survived by her husband Jose, children, grandchildren, her sisters in Mexico; Concha, Josefina, Guera, Sergio, Sandra, and her nieces and nephews, along with her sisters in law.
Maria will be greatly missed by her entire family, friends and fellow church members. She will be remembered as a faithful, brave, strong, and loving woman.
Psalm 30:2 – O Lord my God, I cried out to you, and you have healed me.
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