Mary "Marie" B. Vieira

Mary "Marie" B. Vieira passed away peacefully in the home of her daughter in Chico, CA on Saturday July 7, 2018. She was 90 years young and would have celebrated her 91st birthday on August 20th. Her battle with cancer lasted 25 years and boy was she a fighter. Her family affectionately called her the "Energizer Bunny" because she loved to go places and do things with her friends and family ALL the time. She loved to sing and dance and always had a garden and flowers on the table. She was a caring Mother, Grandmother, sister and loyal friend. She was fun, adventurous, kind, generous, gentle, selfless and full of compassion and love. She graduated from Escalon High School and then went on to cosmetology school and owned a beauty salon in Ripon, CA. She was active in St. Patrick's Church where she taught catechism and was affiliated with the Young Ladies Institute Y.L.I. for 20 years. She loved to sing and was a member of the choirs at St. Patrick's Church and later St. Luke's in Stockton and for a short time at St. John the Baptist in Chico. Marie loved children and had several jobs caring for children and especially infants, two of which affectionately call her "Granny Bea" to this day. When she moved to Chico she did childcare and then volunteered as a Senior Companion for Passages where she enjoyed helping her clients every week. She married Joseph L. Rivara and had two children, MaryEllen Rivara (J.M.Coon) of Chico and Louis J. Rivara (Veronica Falcinella) of Concord, CA. She was a very proud grandmother of two granddaughters: Mary Elizabeth Bidia and Angelina Rose Rivara. She is preceded in death by her parents, John D. Vieira and Jessie M. Vieira; Husband, Joseph L. Rivara; Siblings, Joe Vieira (Dorothy) of Santa Maria, John Vieira (Nancy) of San Jose, Angelo Vieira of Vacaville, David Vieira of Escalon; Nephews and nieces, Steven Vieira of Vacaville, David Bradfute of Tracy, Kathleen Vieira of Escalon and Alisa Pizzo of San Jose. She is survived by her sister Nita Davis of Tracy and brother Edward Vieira (Inga) of Carmichael, sister-in-law Josie Vieira of Vacaville plus many nieces and nephews as well as her dear friends. Mary "Marie" will be deeply missed but will live on in our hearts forever. Services will be held at Our Divine Savior Roman Catholic Church 566 E. Lassen Ave. Chico, CA 95973 and viewing on Thursday, July 19th from 5:00-8:00pm (with Prayer Vigil featuring the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy 6:30pm) and a Funeral Mass the following day Friday July 20th at 10:00am with reception immediately following in the social hall. Flowers and plants are welcome, or you can make a donation in her name to Our Divine Savior Building Fund.