Mary Oliva Lara

Her entire life, Mary had a passion for dancing. Even at her age of 91, she enjoyed the dance floor with many of her family at the wedding of her grandson. For Mary, dancing though, only came second to Family, which took a priority above all else.

Even as a young child, after her mother passed, she spend a lot of her time taking care of her younger brother Richard. While growing up, Mary also enjoyed playing outside with her siblings and other neighborhood kids. Into her teen years, Mary loved going to the USO with her sisters and dancing the nights away during the 40's.

After the war she met and married John Morales. Being blessed with 13 children, the Morales family took much delight in spending time with the family of John's brother Frank and Mary's sister Sally. Sadly, after a 25 year marriage, John passed away.

Following her husband's death, Mary took to the workforce to care for her family. Of the jobs she had,the two that stand out most was her time working to care for children with Down Syndrome and her time as a teacher's aid in KinderCare.

Being that spending time with family was her greatest joy in life, she made many trips to her son and daughter-in-law's apartment. It was during one of her visits that she met her future husband, Severino "Talo".

During her marriage to Talo, they both became active members of the VFW Post 1944 and the American Legion La Puente Unit Post 75. Mary enjoyed taking part of another of her passions at the American Legion, Cooking.Pancake breakfasts, Spaghetti dinners and an abundance of tamales.

Of the things she took pleasure in cooking, chili and homemade tortillas were at the top of her, and her family's, favorites. Being that family and cooking go hand and hand very well for Mary, she often enjoyed watching her children spend time together swimming and playing on the patio while she prepared big family meals.

During her later years, Mary was able to slow down and enjoy some other pleasures. Of which included reading books of cowboys, watching old western movies, listening to music (Sabor A Mi being the song that held a special place in her heart) and of course, watching her Novela's. She also took joy in being a member of The Legion of Mary, visiting the elderly who were unable to attend church themselves.

Even late into her 80's she prided herself on being independent. She spent her last 7 years living (as an independent woman) with the care of her grandson Jonathan and his family. Of which, the family is eternally grateful of the care he gave for her.

Mary is survived by her children; John (Lupe) Morales, Valente Morales, Thomas (Linda) Morales, Edward (Lisa) Morales, Milton Morales, Janet (Francisco) Romero, Lenora (Ralph) Rubio, Maryann Najar, David (Carmen) Morales, Francine (Thaddeus) Lemelle, Michael (Monica) Morales, 69 Grandchildren, 73 Great-Grandchildren and 20 Great-Great Grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husbands Severino G. Lara and John Morales, two children Victor and Richard Morales and 4 grandchildren.

Mary will be deeply missed by all those whose lives she touched.

The viewing will take place on Friday, November 25, 2016 at 7:00 a.m. with the Funeral Service to be held at 9:00 a.m. at Acheson and Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary 7944 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, California 29504. The interment will be at 11:00 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, 92518. All are encouraged to come and share in Mary's celebration of life.