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In memory of Mary Rivera

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“Love is light, light is life, life is divine.” 

On March 6, 2021, Walnut Avenue’s dear Maria “Mary” Rivera passed away peacefully at her home after a valiant battle with cancer. We celebrate Mary’s life as a beloved matriarch of a large Watsonville family which was the center of her world. Mary’s children, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are in our thoughts and hearts as we all mourn this tremendous loss.  

Mary was one of the first to welcome the new Board of Directors in 2015 with wide, open arms. She hugged, loved, and supported us in every step of the way through a seismic agency growth phase that gave rise to new strategic motivations, solid financial health, and extraordinary staff. In turn, many of us personally wish to aid her family's expenses in the coming weeks and months with financial support. Our goal is to raise $15,000 to bequeath to her family on the date of her memorial, March 24, 2021

Mary worked for Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center for 18 years. She was loved by staff, volunteers, community partners, donors, and program participants alike. Mary was the heart and soul (and tireless organizer) of our Strawberry Festival for many years, as well as our Adopt-A-Family, Turkey Drive, and Back-To-School Campaigns. Her compassion for families in need was limitless and she was generous with her love to everyone she met. Within our team, Mary always represented love, Faith, and positivity, but she was also a model of an extraordinary, strong, and resilient woman who despite great challenges, continued to fight, continued to think the best of everyone, and continued to serve this community she loved with full heart and soul. Mary was an inspiration for many of us and Walnut Avenue will continue to honor her life on her Birthday each September 14th.   

Thank you for joining us in this memorial contribution.
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Donations 

  • Linda Quale
    • $25
    • 4 yrs
  • Amethyst Uchida
    • $125
    • 4 yrs
  • KATHERINE ADAMS
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
  • Lincoln Quale
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
  • Tessa Mykel
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Kenneth Vinson
Organizer
Santa Cruz, CA
Tina Cortez
Beneficiary

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