Anita Garcia Rivas

Anita Rivas
Our Beautiful Mother, Anita Garcia Rivas, joined the loves of her life, husband Augustine, daughters, Emma and Antonia on 12 February 2015. God called her home that evening while surrounded by her family.
Mom was born on Los Angeles, California to the union of Daniel and Eloisa Garcia on 5 August 1925, one of nine children. After the death of their father, their stepfather, Felix Munoz, relocated the family to Mexicali where she spent her childhood.
She met her true love, Augustine Rivas, and they married on 18 July 1943. Mom was a loving wife for 71 years (Dad passed on 28 June 2014) and together they had six daughters (one stillborn). They resided at the Lemoneira in Santa Paula and moved to Oxnard in 1958. Mom was a dedicated employee of the Sunkist Seaboard Lemon Packing House over 40 years and retired in 1990 as a production operator. Mom joined Dad in retirement and they were content caring for each other and the grandchildren. They also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe but they especially treasured family celebrations, to include lifetime friends from Lemoneira and visits from siblings and relatives.
Mom was an excellent cook and she loved to sing and dance. Many Saturday nights Dad and Mom would invite family and friends for get togethers and they'd have a good time listening and dancing to the records. We have many fond memories of our parents singing together at these parties (Dad sang tenor and Mom sang Alto) and they sounded great. In 1993, they celebrated their 50th golden wedding anniversary and we, along with many relatives and friends were blessed to have witnessed the special occasion.
Mom was a beautiful, loving, sincere, thoughtful, and strong person and her number one priority was always her family. She was an exceptional woman who provided the care, support, guidance, stability and discipline in whatever situation arose. Dad always praised Mom for taking care of his daughters and handling the household since he was a truck driver and was constantly on the road. Mom was diagnosed with dementia in 2004, unselfishly her primary concern was the well being of the family.
Our Family is so thankful to have had such a loving, caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother and we'll cherish her memory in our hearts forever. We love you so very much Mom and miss you dearly. Dad and Mom, our hearts are broken to have lost you, you are and will always remain the core in our lives. We were blessed to have had the opportunity to care for you and to be by your side when you departed. It was our privilege and honor.
Anita is survived by her daughters Delia Reyes (Mario), Mary Lou Lopez (Danny), Amelia (Molly) Moraga (Tony - Deceased), Rosemary Hernandez (Henry); 13 grandchildren Peter Zuniga Jr. (Alicia), Annie Zuniga, Ralph Armas, Mario Reyes (Shawn), Amber Bolanos (Tony), Frankie Lopez (Nikki), Scarlett (Mark), Racquel Maples (Bruce), Brandi Basua (Danny), Emma Denise Bates Green (Bobby), Daniel Bates (Elaine), Yvette Hernandez, Henry Hernandez Jr., 20 great-grandchildren (1 due in July), 3 great-great grandchildren; brother Johnny Garcia (Fresno), sisters, Rosa Varela (Avelardo) from Calexico, and Raquel Munoz (Harry) from Coachella, sister-in-law Nellie Villegas, many nephews, nieces, and cousins. She was predeceased by husband, Augustine, daughters Emma Armas and Antonia Rivas; brothers Florentino Garcia, Jess Garcia, and Ruben Munoz, sisters Carolina Leyva and Esther Munoz.
A special thank you to Dr. Robert Warwar, Julie, and his staff for their attentive medical care and thoughtfulness throughout the years of Mom's illness, Dr. Robert Feiss and Jill, and the Livingston Memorial Hospice Staff.
"The Broken Chain"
We little knew that morning that
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
you did not go alone;
for part of us went with you
the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,
your love is still our guide,
and though we cannot see you,
you are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.
-Ron Tranmer
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association.
Viewing will be held at the Reardon Funeral Home at 4 to 7pm on Sunday, February 22, 2015 with a rosary starting at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Santa Clara Church at 10am on Monday, February 23, 2015. Burial will immediately follow at the Santa Clara Cemetery. Anita has been entrusted to the care of the family owned and operated Reardon Funeral Home 511 North A st. Oxnard, CA. www.reardonfh.com