Maria Tivoli Stevens

In Loving Memory

Maria was born December 8th 1955, the youngest of two daughters to Carmen Inez and Julio Jacobo Tivoli in Buenos Aries, Argentina. At ten years old, Maria’s family migrated to the United States in 1965 and settled in Long Beach, California where she and her sister attended public school. Maria’s childhood was very dark and sheltered.

Maria and Rick met at Millikan High School in Long Beach, 1974. She was a senior, and he a junior. They met between classes, Rick found Maria sitting in the Band room at the grand piano attempting to play and learn “the song” that would eventually become “their song,” “Color My World” by Chicago. Both were in the school music program; Maria played violin in the orchestra and Rick played trumpet in all the bands. When Rick introduced himself and finally saw Maria’s face, he was smitten. He told her that he knew how to play the song and would love to teach her; and so their 36 year relationship began.

The two became a couple and did everything together, often times over her parents’ objections; but Rick was determined to help his wonderful new friend to live and see the things she had never been afforded the opportunity to discover.

Maria graduated High School in 1974 and Rick followed her in 1975. In 1976 Maria craved an independent lifestyle and set out to explore what the rest of the world had to offer, so Rick and Maria parted ways, but only for a season.

When Maria’s parents divorced, she and her mom obtained a small apartment together in Long Beach. Maria held a number of jobs throughout the next few years, including assisting with special needs children at a group home. At one time she moved to North Hollywood and then back to Long Beach. She also became a fan of Flamenco Dancing and began regular lessons. She became a skilled Flamenco dancer and performed in many public shows with her dance studio.

Maria met a man named Michael while at work who spoke to her about Jesus. She knew her heart was hungry and searching for something. Michael took her to a small Baptist church where she gave her heart to the Lord. Just as quickly as Michael came into Maria’s life, he was gone, he disappeared.

Maria became carrier driven and desired financial stability. She soon settled into the travel industry. Maria had always wanted to travel but lacked the necessary finances. She enrolled and completed travel school courses and was quickly hired by Western Airlines in Los Angeles as a reservation agent.

In mid 1978, Rick returned to the scene. He was still a church going young man and the Lord told him that Maria was in trouble and she needed help. Through his “connections”, Rick soon obtained her address and phone number. Maria received a letter from Rick tucked under her car’s windshield wiper one morning as she was going to work. She thought it was a ticket and decided to look at it later. She read the letter later that evening and took a couple days to pray and think, and then she made the call to Rick. They talked for hours and Maria told him the type of trouble she was having. Rick’s “connections” took care of the problem smoothly and nicely, no one was hurt, (at least not this time).

Maria and Rick rekindled their high school sweet heart relationship and got to know each other again, and so on, and so on. In fact, there were so many “and so ons” that in 1979, Rick took Maria on vacation to Sacramento, CA. While on vacation, Rick proposed marriage to her with a ring. Maria made Rick wait for over 3 weeks so she could pray, she finally said yes, however; the wedding date would be May 10th, and it was already August. Doing some quick math in his head, Rick realized he would have to wait another 9 months to take his bride. Maria wanted plenty of time to be sure this is what God wanted for her. They were married in a small church, by Pastor Randy, on May 10, 1980, in Long Beach. They honeymooned in Hawaii and started married life together in a small apartment in Long Beach.

Maria’s job with Western Airlines ended due to downsizing of the company. Maria and Rick took the opportunity to move to Orange County where she was hired by a Travel Agency called Associated Travel near the OC Airport. No more traveling to LA every day, thank you Jesus. In 1982 Maria discovered she was pregnant, and on February 16, 1983 Crystal Marie was born. Three years later on September 20, 1986 Arin Lee entered their world.

In 1985, Rick and Maria bought their first home together in Fountain Valley and attended Crossroads Community Church, with Pastor Chuck Kruse, in Westminster, CA. Maria joined the choir and Rick played for their band. Both Crystal and Arin were dedicated to Christ in their new sanctuary by Pastor Chuck and Pastor Terry Marden.

In 1992, Rick and Maria moved their family to the Inland Empire, Moreno Valley CA. Maria started church shopping and settled into the local First Assemblies of God Church. The Pastor of the church retired and a young pastor, Pastor Percy, took over and asked if Rick would sit in with their band. He accepted and the family once again had a place to worship together. When the choir director and his wife were promoted to another church, Maria became the director for the choir.

The family activities increased as the kids grew. Crystal became involved with the Jr High drill team and she carried that into her High School years. Maria introduced Crystal to the Flamenco Dancing studio at age 6 and Crystal’s dance skills grew. So much in fact, she was a feature performer when the dance studio performed public shows. Arin was in baseball, starting with T-Ball and all the way thru to the Majors where Rick helped Coach his teams. Arin became a clutch hitter and was called on many times to get his team out of a jam. Rick and Maria were both so proud of the children that the Lord had blessed them with.

In 2001, Maria and Rick both heard from God that it was time to leave their church and move on to something else the Lord had planned for them. As usual, Maria heard from God about 3 weeks before Rick did regarding the move. Together they went Church shopping for a new place of worship. After about 3 months they stopped at a building that use to be the chapel for the March Air Force Base. It was called Inheritance. There was a guest speaker the first day that they attended, however; the church videotaped all the services so when the Sr’ Pastor returned, she viewed the tapes. All she could see was the back of their heads. Maria and Rick returned a couple weeks later and met Pastor Diane Gardner. She recognized them from the video tape by their hair color. How funny!! Rick was floored as he had never met a female pastor let alone an African American female Pastor before. Pastor Diane asked them both to join her for lunch and the interview was on. What I mean is, Rick was interviewing the new pastor to be sure she was going to be their new pastor. As it turns out, the Lord told them both, this is where they should now worship. Both Maria and Rick became involved in the music ministry, Maria in the Praise and Worship Team and Rick in the band playing keyboards.

After 21 years with Associated Travel / Navigant, her position was fazed out due to downsizing of the company. Maria had pioneered Telecommuting with the company, allowing her to work remotely and still be home to raise her children. She eventually took a job with the Riverside County Department of Ageing / Meals on Wheels for the elderly. Maria’s Boss insisted she do the department’s annual budget but Maria was not a certified public accountant nor did she feel confident or qualified to do so. She resigned from the County and started a part time business at home called “Your Bilingual Secretary.” It was a web based company but it really never took off as she had hoped. Maria was a skilled professional and took her abilities and qualifications to a Temp Agency where she was blessed to find employment at a place called “Springboard.” She was the Executive Assistant to the CEO of the company. Rick and the children were very proud of her. She was truly blessed by God for this wonderful place of employment, and her first task every morning was to go into her Boss’ office and on her knees, she would pray for them. She truly knew the meaning of intercessory prayer.

Throughout her life, Maria never lost her love for travel. In 1992, the family traveled to Boston, Mass., for Rick’s cousins’ wedding, where Maria met his side of the family for the first time. Maria enjoyed a trip to Spain with her dear friend Gege, where they got to experience REAL flamenco dancing. She took many trips to Hawaii with Rick, her good friend Vicki and Rick’s sister, Kelley. The family traveled the “four corner States” by way of RV in 1998 and again in 2003, visiting family and amazing sites along the way. In 2005, Crystal talked Maria into taking a two week long European Mediterranean cruise to celebrate Crystal’s college graduation and Maria’s 50th birthday. Maria and Rick also attended their Daughter’s wedding in Poipu Beach, Kauai, in 2006. Maria and Rick loved to cruise and enjoyed many trips to the Mexican Riviera ports of call over the last few years.

In December 2008, Maria had her annual mammogram. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer on January 15, 2009; she also had her first of many chemotherapy treatments this day. A double Mastectomy followed in August 2009 with more chemotherapy treatments and eventually radiation treatment. Sometimes her blood tests were good and other times they were not. It was a wild up and down rollercoaster ride for the whole family filled with hope and disappointment. Crystal traveled from Arizona at least one time per month and stayed with Maria during and after her surgery. Throughout this journey, Maria stayed strong in her faith and believed for a miraculous healing. In the midst of her battle, Maria studied, graduated, and received a certificate from the Bible Theology School, ISOM. Her faith in God and the Lord never wavered. She remained in high spirits and would not let bad news shake her; she was an inspiration to all who had contact with her throughout her battle with cancer. Maria was the one who was sick, but those who spoke to her came away with feelings of hope, peace, and happiness that they never expected.

On May 10th 2010, Maria and Rick celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. After 17 months of battling this horrible disease, Maria had the privilege of seeing and holding her first and only God daughter, Mikayla Grace, adopted by Rick’s cousin Teresa and her husband Mario. She first met Mikayla when she was only 3 days old and was able to see her many more times before she was too weak to hold her anymore. Her daughter Crystal, and her husband Christopher, traveled from Arizona and back for 5 consecutive weekends to stay with Maria while Rick and Arin became Maria’s primary caregivers. Hospice care was prescribed near the end as Maria did not want to be put in a hospital, but rather go to meet the Lord from her home while being surrounded by family.

On June 1, 2010, at 10:10pm, Maria went home to Glory with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She went in her sleep as she had wished, quietly with no more suffering or pain, with both Rick and Arin by her side. As Maria would often say “THANK YOU JESUS”.

The family would like to extend a big Thank You to all who attended this service and the Love you have shown Maria and her family over the years. God Bless.

Maria is survived by her husband Rick, daughter Crystal Marie, son Arin Lee, niece and nephews Deneise, Surgio and Justin, brother in laws Edgardo, John and John John, sister in laws Debra and Kelley, cousins Laura and Teresa, God daughter Mikayla, and Gypsy. All our Love Maria and we will see you in Heaven one day.

Arrangements under the direction of Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Colton, CA.