Maryvette Cabrera

On April 8, 1943, Maryvette Cabrera (née Mowry) was born to LeRoy Mowry and Selapaï Sinawe in Noumea, New Caledonia. As a young girl, Maryvette, or Hnaethedone as was her native Kanak name, left her island home and migrated to the United States with her father and brother, Fredrick.

As an immigrant, Maryvette embraced the transformative power of knowledge, fueling her insatiable curiosity and unyielding love for learning. Maryvette often found comfort in the seemingly endless rows of books in the library so it was fitting that she later attended Grossmont College where she earned her Associates Degree in Library Sciences. Maryvette then went on to work at the Grossmont, Cuyamaca and San Diego State University libraries for over 20 years.

Maryvette met her husband, Ricardo, serendipitously through a friend. Her heart was stolen when, on their first date, Ricardo brought a friend for Maryvette to dance knowing that she would want to dance the night away despite him not knowing how to dance well himself. The rest was history--they were married for 58 years and were blessed with two sons, Jason and Danilo.

On June 9th, 2023, Maryvette passed away at her home in San Diego and joined her island ancestors as well as her loving husband, Ricardo and son, Jason. Maryvette is survived by her son, Danilo, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

A public viewing will be held at Funeraria del Angel (753 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910) on June 26, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Eulogies will commence at 6:00 pm with light refreshments to follow.

Maryvette will join her husband, Ricardo, in Miramar National Cemetery as her final resting place — together forever. A portion of Maryvette’s remains will be scattered along the Pacific Ocean so the island daughter may return to her homeland.