Theodora (Tiodora) Rivas

Tiodora “Teddi” Rivas was born in San Juan, Texas on the 29th of October 1949. She passed away, with her family at her side, on the 24th of January 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 69.

Teddi’s parents Ambrosio and Juana and her 8 siblings moved from South Texas to Dallas in 1955. She graduated from H. Grady Spruce High School in 1968 and married Jose Rivas a native Texan and recently returned Vietnam Veteran in 1969.

Shortly thereafter Teddi joined the administrative staff at the Dallas Bar Association and had the first of three children, Jose Jr (1971), Daniel (1974) and Christina (1977). During this time she not only raised and nurtured a young growing family but also developed professionally into a first rate administrator at the Dallas Bar Association-- she found a strong sense of purpose in her work and made lifelong friendships during her 40 years of faithful and devoted service. Teddi retired from the Dallas Bar in 2015.

In retirement, Teddi was active in her church and community. She made precious memories with her now grown children and their families including 7 grandsons and 2 great granddaughters. Teddi enjoyed the slowed pace of life that retirement provided. She could be found enjoying yoga and pilates at Exall Park and traveling locally and internationally with her growing family. Most recently she enjoyed a vacation to Europe, visiting Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

Teddi is preceded in death by her parents, Ambrosio and Juana Ocanas.

She leaves behind her husband of 49 years, Jose J. Rivas; her son’s, Jose Rivas, Jr., his wife Jennifer; Daniel Rivas, his wife Brenna, and daughter, Christina Rivas-Flores and her husband Alexander; 7 grandson’s - Jose Rivas III, Michael Rivas, Grayson Rivas, Erik Flores, Ryan Rivas, Andrew Flores, Mack Rivas, and 2 great granddaughters Avery Rivas and Tatum Rivas as well as her 8 siblings - Samuell Ocanas, Maria Martinez, Oralia Guzman, Teresa Balderamos, Dora Rodriguez, Jesse Ocanas, Jose Ocanas, and Juanita Longoria.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday January 30th from 6-8pm at Grove Hill Funeral Home and Funeral Mass on Thursday January 31st at 10am at St Philip The Apostle Church 8131 Military Pkwy Dallas, TX.