Molly Rivera

MOLLY CARMEN RIVERA

Moline, Ill.

Molly Carmen Rivera, 85, of Moline, Ill., passed away Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at St. Mary's Church, 412 10th St., Moline. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111 First Ave., Moline, with a St. Mary's Altar and Rosary Society rosary at 3:30 p.m. She was a member of St. Mary's Church. Burial will be at St. Mary's Mausoleum, East Moline.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Church.

Molly was born Oct. 6, 1930, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Magdaleno and Maria Rodriquez Cano. She was reared with love and companionship by a large family consisting of five sisters and three brothers. Molly was united in marriage to Joseph M. Rivera on Feb. 16, 1957, in Iowa City. Joseph died on Jan. 23, 1993. Through God's grace, Molly and Joseph gave birth to four children, Michael Rivera (Janey Parks fiancee), Moline; Lisa Skubal (William Jr.), Washburn; Julie Greene, International; and Carlos (Jennifer), San Diego, Calif. She was blessed with seven grandchildren, Jacquelyn Greene, Rogers, Ark.; Maria, Magdalena and William III Skubal, Washburn; Scarlett and Hunter Rivera, San Diego, Calif.; and a step-granddaughter, Adriane Morris, Blue Grass.

Molly graduated from St. Patrick's School, Iowa City, and she continued her education at Iowa City Commercial College. Molly's last employment was a secretary at the Visiting Nurse Association in Iowa City. She stayed active after retirement serving as a volunteer in administrative services for the American Red Cross for over 10 years. In 2009, she was named Volunteer of the Year by the Red Cross. She also volunteered at the Moline Activity Center and St. Mary's Church where she was a member of the Resurrection Choir and the Altar & Rosary Society. Molly also spent many years being a care giver for her mother and father later in her parents' life.

Molly enjoyed spending time with her family and organizing many family reunions over the decades ensuring the family continued to celebrate their heritage and each other's milestones. Molly enjoyed many activities including line dancing and working out regularly with "Silver Sneakers" group at the YMCA. Molly was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed her Novelas.

Survivors include her children and grandchildren, sisters, Elena Murillo, Rosemary (Edward) Gorman, Josephine Arenas of Cedar Rapids and Delores (Kenneth) Barkley, Muskogee, Okla.; brothers, Arthur Cano, Darien, Ill.; Robert (Ruth) Cano, Aurora, Ill.; and Vincent Cano, Des Moines; and many nieces and nephews on both sides of the Cano and Rivera family.

She was preceded in death by twin infant brothers, Jose and Jesus; her husband; parents; and a sister, Maria Martinez.

Online condolences can be sent to www.RaffertyFunerals.com.