Thoughtful gesture...

My cousins' (Judy, Ed and Jaime) mom had asked if we had an offiliation with any churches and so I told her that Mario and Karen had attended Spirit of Christ in Arvada. She thoughtfully requested a mass in honor of my mom and this Sunday is the weekend that they responded with.

Anyone is welcome to attend. Spirit of Christ is at 7400 W 80th Ave in Arvada and the service will be at 5pm.

Memorial Slideshow and Video...

A link to the Memorial Slideshow of my mom (10:29)...



And a link to the video from the service (4:52). It's priceless to see and hear her laugh at the end. Hopefully soon I will have the Eulogy readings too.

Tina Rivera memorial video from April Hayes on Vimeo.

Obituary...

Ernestine “Tina” Rivera, 67, passed away February 26, 2011 in Denver, CO.

She was born on November 18, 1943 in Pueblo, CO where she attended East High School and was a Psychiatric Technician at the Colorado State Hospital, later becoming a Social Worker for the War on Poverty at the Salt Creek Service Center. She married Joe Rivera on February 28, 1970. Tina attended the University of Southern Colorado where she earned a Bachelors degree in Accounting. She worked at Pueblo County Legal Services for a short time as an accountant before moving with her family to Denver in 1985 to work as an auditor for the US Department of Commerce, OIG.

Tina had an early disability retirement which allowed her to do things that were important to her; spending time with her family, attending grandchildren’s sporting events and programs, and contributing time to her granddaughters’ human rights case, Jessica Gonzales vs The United States. She enjoyed writing, reading, doing research on her Native American background and completing projects around her house.

She will be greatly missed by her husband, Joe Rivera; children, Jessica (Bobby) Lenahan, Joe Jr (Denise) Rivera, Tomasita “Tommy” Rivera, Mario (Karen) Rivera and Mondo (Kelly) Rivera; grandchildren, Jessie, Alejandro, Adrian, Aubreyana, Darren, Mateo and Sophia; great-grandchildren, Josiah, Jazmariah and Jayda. Preceded in death by her parents, Fidel and Andrea Gomez; grandchildren, Rebecca, Katheryn and Leslie.

Click here to view funeral arrangement details.

Funeral Arrangements...

Click here to see my mom's obituary.

Thursday, March 3rd
Viewing & Visitation, 5pm-7pm
Romero Funeral Home
4750 Tejon St
Denver, CO

Friday, March 4th
Funeral Service, 2:30pm
Reception, immediately following service in church hall.
The Sanctuary Downtown
2215 W 30th Ave
Denver, CO 80211

Saturday, March 5th
Viewing & Visitation, 9am-11am
Rosary, 11:00am
Romero Funeral Home
110 Cleveland St
Pueblo, CO 81004

Interment, following Rosary
Roselawn Cemetary
1706 Roselawn Rd
Pueblo, CO 81006

Memorial Dinner, 3:30pm (Please bring your favorite story of mom to share)
Home of Dorie & Isaac Gonzalez
7 Malibu Ct
Pueblo, CO 81005

For those of you who have asked to contribute food, we thank you very much. Please contact the following people to coordinate:
Friday, Denver: Rosita Coca 303-477-7940
Saturday, Pueblo: Gloria Gomez 719-564-0693 or 719-214-7211
*If anyone has folding chairs or chaffing dishes we can borrow in Pueblo, please call Dorie at 719-582-9006.

An obituary will be placed in the Pueblo Chieftan later this week.

Just a quick note to let you know that my family is in the process of making funeral arrangments for my mom. I will post details as soon as they are determined.

Peace be with you momma...

My momma fought long and hard. I think she stayed around to give us a chance to see her laugh, and hug us and kiss us goodbye.

She was 67 years old (11/18/1943).

She was two days shy of celebrating her 41st anniversary with my dad (2/28/1970).

Focusing on LOVING her...

I'd really like to thank everyone for respecting my dad's, my brother's, my sister's, and my desire to spend yesterday alone with my mom.

She continues to be a fighter, which as I have said before, is true to her spirit.

We would also like for you to know that we have not made, and will not be making, any decisions on mom's arrangements at this time. We are thankful to spend what time we have left with her, loving on her.

Thank you,
Tommy