Irene Beatrice Rios

IRENE BEATRICE RIOS

July 20, 1980 - Aug. 13, 2008

Irene Beatrice Rios was born July 20, 1980 in Brawley, CA. Irene was raised in Holtville and graduated from Holtville High School in 1998. During her high school years she worked as a student aide, a summer camp counselor, a clerical aide for Sierra Packing and a secretary for the Holtville Fire Department. While working as a student assistant at Imperial County Public Health – Environmental Division, Irene attended Imperial Valley College. While attending San Diego State East Campus, Irene was employed as an Instructional Assistant at the Imperial County Office of Education – Community School in El Centro. She assisted the instructors in the classroom and maintained the students' files. In 2002, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a minor in Psychology.
Irene's dream of working with children came true when she started working for the Imperial County Probation Receiving Home in 2002. As a Juvenile Officer at the Receiving Home, Irene provided support and supervision to dependent children ages infant through seventeen (17) years. She obtained certificates in CPR/First Aid, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, Healing Traumatic Grief in Children, etc. At the Receiving Home, Irene was noted as a "very dependable and responsible employee, well respected by staff and the children under her supervision". She had a lot of patience helping these children with their homework and teaching the little ones their ABC's.
In January 2005, Irene was hired as a Deputy Probation Officer and assigned to the Juvenile Division to work with high risk minors. Irene graduated from the Probation Officer Core Academy during her first year of employment. Her first assignment was to the El Centro Community School. She worked directly with probationers in the classroom, and with minors and their families in their home. She picked up truants and ensured they got to school, attended SARB meetings and in general provided prevention and intervention services. The Director of Alternative Education noted that administration and teachers alike "had nothing but praise on a job well done by Officer Rios". Supervisors indicated her reports to the court were timely, well-written and well thought out.
In 2008, Irene was assigned to the Juvenile Placement Unit where she worked with minors that are court ordered to out-of-home placements. In this position, Irene had to develop and write extensive case plans that detailed the needs of the minor and their families. She ensured the minor was sent to a placement that met the minors' appropriate educational, behavioral, and counseling needs. As required by Division 31 Standards, Irene visited these minors once a month at the various placements around the state to determine how they were progressing. Irene was known to be strict with these minors, but she also cared for them as if they were her own children and really emphasized how she wanted them to succeed in life. She carried several letters from some of her "kids" in her daily planner, thanking her for the difference she made in their lives.
Her face would just light up when she referred to herself as "Daddy's little girl". To her family she was known as "Nini". She has always been about her family but she made sure she never forgot about herself. She was always looking good and glamorous and was well known for being precise about her make up especially when it came to her eye shadow. Her presence was known as soon as she entered a room.
To Nini, there was nothing more important than her family. She was always full of smiles and was not over shadowed by anyone. To her sisters and brother, she was a best friend and someone who brought the best out in them. To her sisters, she was their closest confidant but she loved to spoil her brother. As young girls, Irene would torment them to keep their rooms clean or get them into trouble for being to loud at night. Despite their differences as young girls they grew up to be the best of friends with a bond that could never be broken. Her nieces, Daniella and Izabella, were the joy of her days. She was a wonderful aunt that always gave the girls something to smile about. To her cousins, she was a role model as she was the first one in the family to receive a bachelor's degree and her independence was an inspiration to all of them. Family gatherings were especially special where Irene made sure she outshined everyone. Anyone who knew her knew there was never a dull moment with Irene. To all of her family, she will forever be remembered for her smile and kind outgoing nature. There was so much Irene did for everyone and her memory will always be imprinted in everyone's hearts.
Irene was a woman with spirit, dedicated, caring and loving to her family, friends, co-workers and the minors she supervised. Irene had a big heart for everyone in her life. She gave her completele self to her community and was an inspiration to all around her. Her brothers and sisters in law enforcement will remember her as the consummate professional and a dear friend and co-worker who gave her life in the line of duty.
Viewing will take place Thursday, August 21 from 6 to 9 p.m at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 560 Maple Avenue in Holtville.
Funeral Services will commence at 9 a.m., Friday, August 22 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 795 S. La Brucherie Avenue in El Centro. Internment immediately following at Terrace Park Cemetery, 1550 Zenos Road in Holtville.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Manuel R. and Consuelo Gonzales; paternal grandmother, Maria R. Rios and uncle, Jesus Rios.
Irene is survied by her her parents, Emilio and Elisabet Rios of Holtville; sisters, Maribel (Marcos) Martinez of Newport, RI, and Eva (Mel) Trujillo of Scottsdale, AZ; brother Emilio (Nicole) Rios of El Centro; nieces, Daniella Trujillo of Scottsdale, AZ and Izabella Martinez of Newport, RI; nephew, Nathan Rios of El Centro; paternal grandfather Ruben Rios of Mexico and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family has requested flowers be sent to Hems Brothers Mortuary, 1975 S. 4th, El Centro, CA. A memorial fund has also been established: Irene Rios Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Sun Community Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 4210, El Centro, CA.