Aurora D. Rivas

Those who knew Aurora best knew of her understated strength, faith, and her preference for all things romantic and floral. And it is no surprise that through her life, everything she touched has bloomed and grown into a legacy where her memory lives on.

Aurora was born in Tlalcosahua, Jalisco, Mexico on January 3rd, 1936. As the eldest of nine children, she demonstrated her talents for cooking and sewing early in her childhood. She married the love of her life, Ramon Rivas, and together they began a lifelong journey filled with love. Beginning with their move to Planada, CA, they planted roots and grew their family for the next 25 years. Renowned for her sewing and cooking skills, Aurora proudly sewed dresses for each of her daughters and maintained her status as the “best tamale maker” in the family, where even her sisters would gather to learn the secrets from “the best.”

Continuing their family legacy, Aurora and Ramon purchased “the ranch” in 1982, a thriving family farm and business in Merced, CA. Multiple generations would come together to work and play, and the ranch became a home to all who gathered. The grandchildren especially loved exploring on the ranch. Aurora was a kind and gentle grandmother to them, indulging them with delicious home cooked food and stories they fondly remember to this day.

Always willing to help grow and nurture something to its fullest potential, Aurora and Ramon combined their creative talents once more in their 1995 purchase and complete renovation of a local Queen Anne Victorian belonging to the National Registry of Historical Homes. Being invited to participate in the prestigious local holiday event, the Annual Christmas Home Tour, was an honor that Aurora took pride in. She always loved to open up her beautifully decorated home, showcasing her favorite romantic florals and artfully restored antiques and hosting lively celebrations filled with the love and laughter of friends and family.

Throughout her life, Aurora stayed strong in her Christian faith. She was committed to sharing her faith with her children, even as they grew up and made families of their own. Together, she and Ramon celebrated 67 years of marriage and built a lifetime of memories until Ramon’s passing in 2018. Preceding her in death, Ramon was finally reunited with his beautiful bride on June 8, 2022, when Aurora joined him in heaven. Aurora’s passing is also preceded by her loving parents, Juan and Margarita De la Cruz, and her sisters, Roberta De La Cruz, and Margaret Rios.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Berta Chamu for lovingly caring for Ramon and Aurora in their final years. They appreciated her thoughtfulness and valued her companionship as a very dear friend.

Aurora’s legacy lives on as she is survived by her large and loving family, including her children: Robert (Martha) Rivas, Angelica (Steve) Guzman, Patricia (Frank) Espinosa, Aurora Rodriguez, Myrna Rivas; her grandchildren: Anita Rodriguez, James Espinosa, Danielle Guzman-Orth, Sarah Boyett, Gabriela Rivas-Dampier, Joseph Rodriguez, Nicholas Guzman, Matthew Martin, Adrienne Oswalt, Derek Martin, Jacob Rodriguez, and Amanda Contreras; and her great-grandchildren: Andrew, Aniyah, Theo, Evelyn, Siena, Cairo, Sophia, Roman, Elijah, Ezekiel, Uriah, Eleanor, and Jemma. Aurora is also survived by her younger siblings: Rosa De La Cruz, Roberto De La Cruz, Soledad De La Cruz, Joaquin De La Cruz, John De La Cruz, and Mary Pedretti.

Services honoring Aurora will be hosted on Monday, June 20th, 2022. Services begin with a mask-required viewing at 9am, followed by mask-required funeral services at 10am at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home located at 1490 B Street, Merced, CA. She will be laid to rest at Plainsburg Cemetery with services beginning at 11:30am, located at 8943 Gillette Ave, Le Grand, CA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com for the Rivas family.