Francisca Rivera Vargas

On January, 18th 1935 in Ponce Puerto Rico, God granted the birth of a girl to Francisco and Josepha Rivera; which they named Francisca Rivera Vargas. Francisca or Panchita as she was known to her friends and family lived her adolescent life in Puerto Rico.

In the summer of 1957 at the age of 22 Francisca meet the love of her life Manuel Rojas Virola Gonzalez (Rene). Francisca and Manuel lived in Puerto Rico and New York. Francisca gave birth to ten children who were born in Puerto Rico and in New York. In 1972 Francisca and Manuel moved their family to California. She lived in Redwood City where she worked as a housekeeper and raised her children. Francisca was a very dedicated mother and took the roll and responsibly of motherhood to heart. Francisca instilled in her children the values of kindness, charity and humility.

In 1990 Francisca and Manuel moved to San Diego where they lived for two years before moving to Moreno Valley. While living in Moreno Valley Francisca and Manuel traveled to Puerto Rico to visit family and friends several times. They also experienced a trip to Rome where she toured the Coliseum, Trivie Fountain, The Spanish Steps and the Vatican. Francisca fulfilled one of her dreams by attending a mass which was performed by Joannes Paulus ll Pontifex Maximus (Pope John Paul ll).

Francisca loved spending time with her grandchildren and had a special way of letting them know how much she loved them all. Even when she was sick she had a way of bringing life into a room a home or an event. She had a great sense of humor.

Francisca was a lover of life and proved doctors wrong on many occasions. A few years before moving to Modesto Francisca had heart trouble. Francisca at that time already had a double bypass which was done ten years prior. The doctor at that time informed her that he believed that a second surgery would be to risky in the heath condition that she was in. He stated that she would be choosing between quantity of life vs. quality of life. To this Francisca replied "Doctor you worry about giving me quanity and I’ll take care of the quality.". During the surgery the doctors not only did quadruple bypass but also reconstructive repair to part of her heart. Francisca recovered and shortly after rejoiced in her wedding to Manuel where a celebration of there love and life was enjoyed by her children, grandchildren and friends. Francisca and Manuel moved to Modesto Ca in March of 2008. While in Modesto she enjoyed the care and love of her daughters who looked after her. Francisca always believed that words were important but actions where louder. She would tell her family always that no matter what happens in life "bee happy"

For everything there is a season a time to cry and time to laugh a time for joy and a time to mourn. Even as we mourn Francisca who was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt and a friend, We celebrate the life she lived, the joy, the tears, the laughs and most of All the LOVE she gave. As my mom would always say,

“Bee happy!"

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM in Montecito Mortuary Valley View Chapel. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace All Souls Mausoleum in Colton, California.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary.