Jovita Rivas Cisneros

Jovita Rivas Cisneros passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on the evening of June 26th. She lived a long, beautiful and blessed life, passing at an amazing 95 years young. Jovita was born on November 3rd, 1926 in Fowler, California. She was the second of Francisco and Guadalupe Rivas' eight children. Her parents emigrated from Mexico to create a better life for themselves and their young family, eventually settling in San Jose, California when Jovita was two years old. She was a strong, hard-working Latina woman, who started working in orchards and packing houses as a child. Her strong work ethic helped her make a good life for herself and her children. She would often work multiple jobs in order to provide for her family, including picking produce, processing in canneries, ironing clothes, and cleaning houses. Eventually, she went back to school and started her career in electronics. She retired after 25 years of service at Hewlett Packard. However, retirement did not slow her down, as she continued cleaning houses and became an in-home care provider. Jovita loved to cook for her large family. Her family and friends have vivid memories of the sight, aroma, and tastes of their favorite dishes, including rice and beans, chile verde, chicken mole and her famous tamales. She spent many years making and selling hundreds of dozens of tamales. In her down time, she loved watching novellas, Sabado Gigante, Home & Gardening shows and game shows. She also loved gardening and flowers. Many people would stop to admire her beautiful rose bushes when she owned her home in San Jose. In August 1999, Jovita moved to Tulare, where she lived until her passing. The biggest joy in Jovita's life was her children, grandchildren, and family. She generously expressed her care with unique tokens of love. Jovita raised over ten children and will have a lasting legacy with hundreds of descendants, including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren. Jovita is preceded in death by her parents, Francisco and Guadalupe Rivas, siblings Christina Rivas Medina, Joseph Rivas, Albert Rivas, Jess Rivas and Fred Rivas, children Robert Rivas, Irene Lee Rodriguez, Gloria Jean Lee and Marilyn Donna Lee. She is survived by her children Louis Lee Jr., Patricia Lee Martinez (Rogelio), Raymond Lee (Kathy), Alex Martinez (Martha),Lupe Bonilla (Manuel), Jessie Contreras (Javier), Tillie LeDesma, Mary Ponce, Marcy Lara and Josie Melendez. She is also survived by her two sisters Neftely Rivas Kennedy and Gloria Acosta. Our family would like to express our sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to family and friends who have offered their prayers, love, and support during this difficult time. We'd also like to extend our deepest appreciation to the staff of Tulare Rehabilitation Nursing Facility and Seva Hospice Care for the wonderful care and service. Jovita will be greatly miss by her family, friends, and everyone she touched. Although, we mourn her absence from us in this world, we celebrate her eternal life. Viewing will be held 4 PM - 5 PM Thursday, July 21st, 2022 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Prayer Service will be held 5 PM - 7 PM Thursday, July 21st, 2022 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be held 8 AM - 9 AM Friday, July 22nd, 2022 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Graveside services will be held 10 AM - 11 AM Friday, July 22nd, 2022 at North Tulare Public Cemetery, 4572 North J. St., Tulare. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Jovita Rivas Cisneros

November 3, 1926 - June 26, 2022