MARY L. RIVAS

August 13, 1929 – July 3, 2025

Mary Lou Rivas, also known as "Licha" a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, at the age of 95. Born on August 13, 1929, in El Monte, California to Daniel and Victoria Lopez, she spent most of her life in Bakersfield, California place she called home and where her legacy of love and service will live on.

Licha was married to the love of her life, Alex Rivas, for 60 wonderful years. Together, they built a beautiful life centered on family, faith, and community. She was preceded in death by her husband Alex, parents, and her brothers Daniel, Tony, and Doro.

She is survived by her devoted daughter Diana Rivas , loving son Tony Rivas and his wife Penny; her grandchildren Corina (Steve) Rick ( Isabel) Andrea, Alex, Nikki and Jenny; great-grandchildren Corissa , Adam, and Stevie; and her great-great-granddaughter Zoey. She also leaves behind her loving sister, Jacinta.

For over 30 years, Mary worked as the dedicated manager of the East Bakersfield High School cafeteria, where her care and commitment to students and staff earned her a well-deserved place in the school's Hall of Fame. She took great pride in her work and in the relationships she built within the school community.

Licha's greatest joy was spending time with her family. She loved vacationing with Alex in their trailer in Morro Bay, welcoming family and friends into her home for holidays, celebrations, or simple Sunday breakfasts after Mass. A devout Catholic, she never missed a Sunday service and modeled a life grounded in faith, generosity, and tradition.

Known lovingly as the matriarch of the family, Licha was a true social butterfly and gifted storyteller. She had a way of making everyone feel at home whether through her warm hospitality, legendary cooking, or the laughter and love she brought to every gathering.

Her presence will be deeply missed and felt at every family celebration, especially during the holidays. Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured with love, wisdom, and unwavering kindness.

A rosary will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home on River Boulevard on Wednesday, July 23rd at 6:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, July 24th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Church, followed by a reception at 12:00 p.m. at The Collective in downtown Bakersfield.

In honoring her memory, we celebrate a life well-lived and a heart that loved so deeply.

www.bakersfield.com/obits

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bakersfield Californian on Jul. 19, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Rivas

Sponsored by Greenlawn Funeral Home Northeast.

3 Entries

LaRhonda

August 2, 2025

I grew up next door to the Rivas family. I send them my deepest condolences.

Mary was truly kind. She once told me she was proud of me. It was in the cafeteria at EB, the summer of my senior year in high school. I was in summer school to catch up, after taking half of my junior year off after I had my daughter. That small, simple kindness meant a lot to me. I´ve never forgotten it. I ended up graduating on time with my class, and with extra credits. A little kindness is a powerful thing, and a little truly does go a long way.

Thank you for so much your kindness, Mary.

Proverbs 31:26

LaRhonda (Pinkie)
Pismo Beach, CA

Melissa Laughlin Howard

July 22, 2025

Sharing a photo of Mary and my mother Irma, beautiful ladies in their 80s! Mary and Mom were friends for decades, both respected and successful managers of cafeterias in the KHSD, but more importantly lifelong friends. Our family will always have fond memories of Mary and be forever grateful for the friend she was to our mom.

Elizabeth Irwin

July 19, 2025

Oh my dear cousins, feel my arms around you and the love in my heart for all of you during this time of pain and loss. May our precious Lord, keep His loving arms around you all forever, and may our dear Licha , rest in peace with all of our ones who have gone before us. Love from your cousins, Dody and Licha´s first cousin, Lucy Garcia.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results