Pomposa G. Rivera

Ponca was born on September 19, 1923 in Clarkdale, Arizona, the second of four daughters born to Francisco and Juana Gutierrez. Ponca was preceded in death by two of their eleven children, Emilio Nicolas “Nico”, and Francisco Jacinto “Frank”. She is survived by children Juventino “Tino” Rivera (Toiresa), Guadalupe Rivera (Wiley James), Carmen Avila (Luis), Emma Leitschuh (Paul), Mary Zabel (Parry), Teresa Wessling (Chuck), Irene Doty (Eric), Gloria Angha (Al), Angel Rivera (Sandy), 22 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, sisters Mary Subia and Clemencia Duarte, and a number of beloved niecesand nephews. Ponca and Angel, sweethearts throughout World War II, were married upon his return in 1946. Together they raised their children in the St. Pius X community from the time of its inception in 1955. After the youngest child entered school, Ponca began her lifetime of devoted service to St. Pius X School. A service she described in her words as her “joy”. Her coworkers, whom she loved dearly, became her second family. Over the 40 years she was at St. Pius, she worked tirelessly for the needs of the children and parents. Every fall, the St. Pius Bazaar fundraising event became the priority in her life, requiring long and devoted hours of work, always culminating in great pride for work well done. Ponca’s capacity to love was boundless. She possessed a sweet and simple demeanor punctuated by

her constant beautiful smile. She was blessed with abundant energy and a zest for life. Her greatest happiness was when she and Angel were celebrating life surrounded by children, grandchildren and extended family members. Always making time to participate in numerous life events, births, baptisms, first communions, graduations, weddings and vacations with their children and grandchildren, they traveled extensively both here and abroad. Most summers Ponca and Angel traveled to Huntington Beach to spend time with their eldest son,

Tino, and took side trips to visit with relatives and friends along the coast. Ponca’s constant nurturing love did not end with her own 49 offspring, it extended

to all who entered her life. She will be missed by many. During the war, and in the fashion of Rosie the Riveter, Ponca broke a glass ceiling as a young woman

when she became one of the first female managers employed by Safeway.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support from family and friends and especially from the staff at Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home and Hospice of El Paso. The rosary will be presided over by Deacon Jim Szostek at Martin Funeral Home, 3839 Montana Ave., on Friday September 30 at 7:00 pm, and the funeral Mass will celebrated by Monsignor Francis Smith at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1007 Geronimo Drive, on Saturday, October 1 at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery. For more information, please call Martin Funeral Home at 915-566-3955.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel Martin Central, El Paso, TX.