Ofelia Rivas

September 19, 1931 - February 20, 2021

Ofelia Rivas, 89 of Tulare, California joined her husband, Adolfo Rivas, sons, Jesse Rivas and Armando Rivas, grandson, David Picazo, and granddaughter, Sylvia Herrera, in heaven on February 20, 2021 in Tulare, California. Ofelia was born to Federico Gonzalez and Guadalupe Rodriguez on September 19, 1931 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. She was the eldest of their 9 children. Ofelia moved to Brownsville Texas during her childhood, where she would live until her mid thirties. She began a life with her husband, Adolfo Rivas, in 1948 and together they raised 12 children. Ofelia and Adolfo moved to California in the 60's and settled in the central San Joaquin valley in 1968. Ofelia lived in Pixley, California, until 1996 in the home she and Adolfo built for their family. The family home hosted many joyous celebrations. Her children and grandchildren would gather together for Christmas Eve dinners, Easter BBQ's and Menudo on Sundays. It was a place for her children to come together in laughter and enjoy their mother's home cooked meals as well as a playground for her grandchildren. Ofelia moved to Tulare following the death of her husband, who passed in 1995. Ofelia enjoyed her home in Tulare. She built a garden for herself in her back yard, which would come to life with hummingbirds in the spring and summer time. She continued to host holidays and parties, lunches with her children and grandchildren, and afternoon puzzle sessions with whoever dropped in to visit with her. Ofelia is survived by her sons and daughters, Samuel Picazo, Adolfo Rivas Jr., Jose Rivas, Celia Herrera, Diana Romero, Nelfa Phillips, Emma DeOchoa, Silvia Johnasen, Belinda Fernandez and Ida Dena, daughters in law Elvia Picazo, Maria Rivas, Minnie Rivas, and Ventura Rivas, sons in law, Tony Romero, Randy Phillips, Robert DeOchoa, Gregory Johansen, Trino Fernandez and Ed Dena, and grandchildren Richard Picazo, Nancy Cardoza, Roy Herrera, Louie Herrera, Joel Herrera, Adolfo Rivas III, Yvonne Rivas, Michael Rivas, Joseph Rivas, Jose Rivas Jr., Veronica Mittino, America Rivas, Calivn Souther, Jenifer King, Janette Hart, Damien Phillips, Rhandi Robinson, Phillip Fernandez, Christine Fernandez, Kathleen Bono and Ashley Dena, her grandchildren's spouses, 22 great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. The viewing for Ofelia will be held from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Friday, March 12th, 2021 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Rosary will be held 6:00 PM Friday, March 12th, 2021 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial services will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, March 13th, 2021 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 125 E. Pleasant Avenue, Tulare. Graveside services will be held 11:30 AM Saturday, March 13th, 2021 at Tulare Cemetery, 900 E. Kern Ave., Tulare.. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com .