Anita Maria De La Riva

Anita Maria De La Riva was born on April 16, 1944 in San Juan Capistrano to her parents, Jesus and Carmen Mendoza. She was preceded in death by her brothers Mike, Leechie and Joe, and survived by her only sister Dolores and youngest brother, Johnny. Our mom lost her mother when she was 7 years old. She really never knew or remembered much about her, but she clearly felt a strong connection to her for her entire life. Our mother attended elementary and junior high school in San Juan Capistrano and Santa Ana, and graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1962. In June of 1963 she married the love of her life, Pio. They were a beautiful, loving couple. In 1964 they welcomed their first child, Valerie. Soon after they welcomed Ron, Steve, Mark, and finally, their baby girl Linda. Our mom and dad provided our family with a beautiful life. Our mother did not work outside of the family home and dedicated her life to raising her children and grandchildren. She took immaculate care of our home and was always there for the many activities we were involved in, whether it was running the snack bar when her sons played little league, to opening her home and providing team meals for the Santa Ana Saints football team. She was a founding member of the Santa Ana High School Quarterback Booster Club. She was our biggest cheerleader for the different sports and activities we were involved in. In her younger years, she enjoyed playing softball and was even on a bowling team with many of her friends. Our mother enjoyed watching sports with our dad. She loved USC football and bled Dodger Blue! She loved going for Sunday drives and being with her family. She looked forward to the annual trips to Las Vegas with her kids and all of her grandchildren. She loved playing video poker. She always enjoyed the Sunday gatherings with her family. We always had a great time together as a family. Our mother taught us love for family, kindness and compassion. She always welcomed family and friends with open arms in to a warm and loving home to celebrate holidays and milestones. When our father passed away in July 2014, a piece of her heart went with him. She loved him so. She had tremendous faith and was a devout Catholic. Even when she was no longer able to attend mass, she tuned in to watch daily mass on television. She was a true fighter until the end, and never complained when faced with the challenges of her afflictions. Our mother is survived by her children Valerie and her husband Fred, Ron and his wife Beatriz, Steve, Mark, Linda and her husband Albert. She is also survived by her grandchildren Erinn, Amanda, Allison, Kaitlyn, Hannah, Victoria, Ethan, Abigail, Pia and her great grandson Theodore, whom she was going to call her little “Teddy”.