Rita Rivera Rivas
June 1, 1937 - March 6, 2025

Rita Rivera Rivas, age 88, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2025. She was born on June 1, 1937, in Knippa, Texas, to Pedro Rivera and Antonia Polanco Rivera.

Rita was a strong, loving, and devoted woman whose life was centered around family. She raised three sons and later adopted and raised her great-granddaughter, showing the same unwavering love and dedication that defined her life.

She dedicated many years of service working at University Hospital in San Antonio, beginning in 1966 and continuing until her retirement in the 1990s. Rita was known for her hard work, kindness, and willingness to help anyone in need.

Rita found joy in the simple things in life. She loved tending to her garden, caring for her plants and pets, working on cross-stitch projects, and completing crossword puzzles. She was also a devoted sports fan who never missed a game of the Dallas Cowboys or the San Antonio Spurs. Everyone knew better than to call her during a game unless it was an emergency.

She was also a proud member of the Red Hat Society – Fabulous Queens, where she enjoyed friendship, laughter, and community events.

Rita was known for her kindness, generosity, and selflessness. She never hesitated to offer whatever she had to help someone else. She loved spending time with friends, especially enjoying the occasional trip to the casino. Rita was also known for her strong and determined personality, she was a headstrong woman who was never afraid to speak her mind when she disagreed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Pedro Rivera and Antonia Polanco Rivera; her common-law husband, Benito Guerra; her siblings, Antonio Rivera and Rufina Jimenez; and her granddaughter, Helen Gloria.

She is survived by her children Rudolpho Rivas, Isidro Rivas, Ricardo Rivas (Santa Gonzales Rivas), and Bianca Rivas-Clark (Isaac Clark); her grandchildren Michael Rivas, Jessica Rivas, Joel Rivas, Ricardo Rivas Jr., and Mercedes Rivas (Joseph Martinez); along with numerous great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren who will continue to carry on her love and legacy.

Rita's life was a testament to love, strength, and devotion to family. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her. Those who loved her will always remember the way she would hug them goodbye and say with a smile, "I'll see you, when I see you."

Services

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 17, 2026, beginning at 4:00 PM with a Rosary at 6:00 PM at Castillo Funeral Home in San Antonio.

Graveside services will take place Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 10:30 AM at San Fernando Cemetery #2. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the cemetery near Area 45.