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RIVERA -- Bertha Barela Rivera, resident of Albuquerque for many years, passed away Wednesday evening, December 22, 2010. She was born in Santa Fe, NM on July 7, 1930. Her parents, now deceased, are Lorenzo Barela and Josefa Silva, who had 13 children: five girls and eight boys. Preceding her in death are siblings Socorro Gage, Eluterio Barela, Lorenzo Barela, Raymond Barela, George Barela; and daughter-in-law Karen Dunbar Rivera. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Raul A. Rivera; four children, Maria L. Brandon of Albuquerque, NM, Dr. Louis R. Rivera and wife Julia of Albuquerque, NM, Robert Rivera and wife Ginny of San Antonio. TX and Richard Rivera and partner Brady Lanier of Houston, TX; eight grandchildren, Dr. Louis C. Rivera, Theresa Neely, Angela Rivera, Alexander Rivera and wife Jennifer, Rachel Rivera, Natalie Rivera, Benjamin Rivera, and Dominic Rivera; and three great-grandchildren, Jasmine, Dillon, and Nathaniel; She is also survived by her sisters Margie Martinez and husband Leandro, Mary Ann Martinez, and Dolores Heimerich; and her brothers Cayetano Barela and wife Lydia, Manuel Barela, Diego Barela and wife Carmen, and Antonio Barela and wife Angie. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Bertha attended schools in Santa Fe, and graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1948. She then began working as a stenographer for the Santa Fe Welfare Department. She worked in several positions for the Welfare Department, and was promoted to secretary by the time she retired from the Department in 1955. She married Raul in January 1956 and the couple moved to Espanola, NM where their four children were born. In 1963, Bertha and Raul moved to Albuquerque, where they lived for two years. Then they moved to Santa Fe. There Bertha volunteered for the public schools, primarily at Nava Elementary School. In December 1972, the family moved back to Albuquerque, and have lived there since. Around 1975, Bertha began working as an educational assistant for Albuquerque Public Schools at Sandia High School, John Baker Elementary, Matheson Park Elementary, and others. She retired from APS in April, 1992. Bertha was also a stay-at-home mom for many years. Bertha was a devout Catholic and was a member of Queen of Heaven Church. At Queen of Heaven, she was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Bertha was also a member of the Catholic Daughters, the Altar Rosary Society, and Saint Vincent de Paul. She had many interests including reading, crossword puzzles, computer games, bowling, going to casinos, traveling, and watching game shows on television. After retiring, she traveled to many places including Spain, the Canadian Rockies in the Vancouver area, and Hawaii. She also went on several cruises to such locations as Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, and the Mexican Riviera. She was a great wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be missed very much by everyone who knew her. A Rosary Memorial Service will be recited on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary ~ University Chapel, 1111 University Boulevard NE. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5310 Claremont NE. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Queen of Heaven Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Please visit the online guestbook for Bertha at: www.RememberTheirStory.com. FRENCH 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
        Published on: Mon December 27, 2010