Sally Rivera

She was born on April 19, 1937, in Las Cruces, New Mexico to Carmen and Ynez Martinez. After graduating from Fresno State College in 1962, she began employment as a social worker for Fresno County Social Services where she met Ben, her future husband. They were married the following year. Later she worked as a preschool teacher for the Fresno Unified School District for over 30 years, retiring in 2000. She made a lasting impression on many of her young students.

Sally was a loving wife and mother whose family and church meant the world to her. She will be greatly missed by family and friends for her inspiring smile and words of encouragement and support. She was indeed a pillar of strength for those whom she loved and who loved her in return.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Lee-may Chen and the staff at UCSF Medical Center for their diligent and caring treatment of Sally. We also thank the staff and volunteers at Hinds Hospice Home for the compassionate care given to Sally during the last stages of her illness and for the caring support given to her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Sam Martinez; and sister, Katie Vera.

She is survived by Ben, her loving husband of almost 48 years; three daughters, Jeanette Rivera, Jacqueline Valenzuela, Josette Rivera M.D. and her husband Joshua Berstein M.D.; son Jeremy; granddaughters, Sophie Valenzuela and Julia Bernstein; brothers, Danny and Willie Martinez and their wives, Delia and Sylvia, respectively; sister Irene Arias and her husband John; and numerous nieces and nephews.