Olivia "Bibi" Rivera's Obituary
The world has lost a vibrant and beautiful mother. Olivia “Bibi” Rivera gained her angel wings on the morning of Saturday, September 17, 2022. She was 79 years young. She passed away peacefully at her home with her daughter, Veronica Rivera-Cox and her nieces who were daughters to her as well, Diana Y. Medina and Olga “Gingie” Garcia by her side when she took her final breaths and her soul departed to heaven. She was not in pain and knew she was very deeply loved.
Bibi, as she was called, was born on April 4, 1943 in Rio Grande City. She was a hard worker her entire life. She worked with family at the H&H Drive-In. She was an office manager and bookkeeper. She worked for Valley Mart with the Diaz family for over 25 years, including the Fort Ringgold Motel. She also worked at the El Chaparral Supermarket and lastly at the Starr County Town Crier. She was dedicated to her duties and always gave her all in everything she did.
She played softball and golf. She loved sports and staying active. She was part of the RGC Band Booster. She was extremely creative and crafty. There wasn’t much she couldn’t do or figure out. She loved history and researching her family history. She loved music immensely. Her home was always welcoming and warm with decorations for every holiday. Her yard was the envy of the neighborhood. Her home was a place where many parties and celebrations took place, including her daughter and son-in-law’s wedding reception last year which she made magical.
One of her best traits was her amazing smile and genuine gratitude to see or talk to family and friends. We are all very much grieving and at the same time, we are so incredibly grateful for the joy and love she brought into our lives. To know Bibi was to love her and be loved back with an unconditional and fierce love. She loved with her whole heart. The world is a lot less vibrant today without her in it.
She was a dedicated and faithful wife of Jose Luis Rivera for just over 50 years. She loved his family and embraced their love as well.
She loved all of you. She loved spending time with you, whether it was in person or on the phone. Any time spent with her was a blessing. She brought so much joy to so many.
Olivia “Bibi” Rivera had only one daughter, but she was a mother to so many as many of you know this first hand. Her kindness and love extended to anyone. Her heart knew no limits to helping others and loving them. Her daughter was glad to share her love with all of you, because Bibi didn't know any other way to be and taught us that love has no limits. There is always more love to give. The strength she showed was truly amazing.
Her daughter was her world. She loved her with a love that will endure time and beyond. She always said even though she didn’t have her mother, she was going to be the best mother she could be. She was and always will be.
She was a fighter, a true warrior. She endured so much in her life. She fought cancer for many years and yet, she still had more energy than most of us. She was one of a kind. She was the most thoughtful woman. She always remembered everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries. She was always there to help with anything you needed. Even in her last months, she worried and wanted to make sure everyone was fine and taken care of.
She was a remarkable and amazing mother, mother-in-law, wife, sister, cousin, aunt and friend. There will never be enough words to express just how remarkable and amazing she was and still is. Her legacy will live on in each of us who knew and loved her. We all learned something from her and even now, we want to learn more.
We may feel lost without her, but we know she will find a way to guide us and still watch over us. We will miss her every single day.
Olivia “Bibi” Rivera was preceded in death by her parents, Reynaldo Lopez and Maria Ascension Rosa, her cousin who raised her, Celia G. Villarreal (Rene “Chino”), their son Raul Ruben Villarreal; and her loving sister, Maria Olga Lopez Brown and other family members. They are reunited now.
Bibi is survived by her husband, Jose Luis Rivera and her daughter, Veronica Rivera-Cox (Luke Cox), her half-siblings Reynaldo Lopez and Oralia Guerrero Lopez. Rosie V. Wilson and Rene “Pito” Villarreal (Cindy) were like her children in the home where she was raised. She is also survived by her sister Olga’s children and their children who she loved as her own, Diana Y. Medina (Aldo Medina), Joe Gonzalez and Olga “Gingie” Garcia (Leonel Garcia). Her sister’s grandkids and great grandkids were loved as her own grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rick Garza (Valerie), Georgina McCarthy (Mike), Aldo Medina; Susana Gonzalez Hernandez (Fercho); Victor Quiroz Jr. (Jenny); Oscar Quiroz; Oliver Quiroz and Angel Garcia. Bibi has many other loving nieces and nephews who she loved dearly and with all her heart. A story of her life will be shared and all the family and friends who were a part of her extraordinary life.
Thank you all so much for your love and support. Thank you to all who came by to see her, visit with her, share memories and condolences. Rest in Eternal Peace. We love you always. We will see you again one day.
Arrangements made by Hernandez Funeral Home in Rio Grande City. Memorial Services with her ashes will be on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 4pm to 9pm. Rosary at 7pm. Rosaries are being held daily at her home in RGC at 6:15pm until Sunday, September 25.
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