Jane W. Rivera

Jane W. Rivera
Our wonderful mother, Jane Willis Rivera, went gently and quietly to be with her Savior in heaven on November 12, 2011.
She was born Mary Jane Willis to Forest and Agnes (Maxwell) Willis on August 1, 1921.
Jane was blessed to always remember her happy childhood. She had many delightful memories to share of the good times and mischief she had growing up in Flagstaff, Arizona with her beloved sisters, brother and wonderful parents.
Jane was a proud and feisty woman all her life. From the days of being able to race her bicycle faster than any boy in her neighborhood, to her time spent ranching and hunting and onto the day she became the second woman from the state of Arizona to join the newly formed Women's Army Corps as an Air WAC with the Army Air Forces during World War Two.
It was while serving in the WAC's that she met a handsome, young Spaniard who walked across the room to ask her to dance. She was married to John B. Rivera on June 8, 1945 and for 57 years they enjoyed a marriage based on faith, trust, passion and teamwork that provided a solid backdrop for her to be a devoted homemaker. Her greatest pride and gratitude in life was her marriage, family and all their accomplishments.
Even though Jane was fiercely independent, she credited everything she had to God. She modeled and taught faith and independence to her children and grandchildren. She was the rock upon which we could depend and by which we learned those same gifts. She was innately kind and always thinking of others, even to the end. She loved little kids and young people, birds, roses, animals and playing solitaire. She was proud to have served her country.
Jane is lovingly remembered by her seven children and their families, Juanita (John) Lopez, Florence (Bill) Fierst, James (Dorothy) Rivera, Sandra (Allan) Auch, Brenda (Eric) Buchholz, Theresa Rivera (Arnie Kimmel), Maria (Tony) Severson along with 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren also her sister and a brother-in-law, Maudie Drye and Tip Drye and by Johnny's family, Beverly Dannemiller, Martha Leisek and Gilbert and Marge Rivera.
She is preceded in death by her husband Johnny, her parents, her sister Genevieve Drye and brother David Willis, as well as Arzie Drye.
Our family appreciates and thanks the caregivers who made it possible for Jane to stay at home these last two years, AnneMarie, Lily, Brenda and Barb, also Dr. Borino and the volunteers at Hospice.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the following organizations in Jane's name: The Veteran's memorial at Hieronymous Park in Hamilton, S.A.F.E. in the Bitterroot, or St. Francis Church