Victoria Ortiz Rivera

Victoria Ortiz Rivera “Vicki” of Pasadena, California passed away Saturday, November 8, 2014 from sudden cardiac complications at Huntington Memorial Hospital. She was 80 years old.

Victoria was born January 3, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois to Apolonio Ortiz and Mariana Fena. She was the youngest and last surviving of ten (10) brothers and sisters. Gilberto Ortiz, Aurora Hernandez, Rita Diaz, Emilio Ortiz, Ruben Ortiz, Teresa Belmonte, Daniel Ortiz, Esther Garcia and Josefina Mora.

She started her high school education in Soledad, California and completed her final two years in Los Angeles, California.

Victoria was married for 59 years to Roberto Hernandez Rivera. They were married on May 29, 1955 in Los Angeles and resided in Sun Valley, California. In 1960, the couple moved to Pasadena, California where they have resided ever since.

Victoria was loved and admired by many educational professionals in the Pasadena School District where she worked as a Bilingual Teachers Aide. She was experienced at all grade levels up to Junior High School. Many of her students enjoyed her assistance as she facilitated the educational curriculum not only for Spanish speaking students, but enlightened the cultural diversity amongst many non-Spanish speaking students/professionals as well.

She loved to read and was a great story teller. She especially enjoyed sharing her stories and experiences with friends and family. She was a devoted animal lover and enjoyed caring for a variety of pets/animals whether they were hers or not. Victoria enjoyed traveling…especially on cruises and spending time with all her seven grandchildren.

Victoria Ortiz Rivera is survived by her husband, Roberto Hernandez Rivera of Pasadena. Her children Manuel Rivera of San Diego, Javier Rivera and Susanne C. French of Pasadena, California.

Her grandchildren Alyssa M. Dykes, Monica L. Rivera and Daniel D. Rivera of San Diego. Liana M. French, Michael Rivera, Veronica Rivera and Stephanie Rivera of Pasadena, California.

Memorial Services will be held at Callanan, Woods-Scovern Mortuary at 511 So. Central Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204 (818-242-0258) on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.

Graveside Services will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale 1712 So. Glendale, Avenue Glendale, CA 91205 on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 10:30 AM.

Flowers: Pierce Brothers Valhalla Flowers 818-761-4280

Victoria Ortiz Rivera the “little lady with a BIG heart from Pasadena” will be missed so much by many.