Preceded in death by husband Manuel Gusman. Survived by the father of her children / partner Jose Rivera. A loving mother of Javier Rivera, Lucy Cruse (Mike), Juan (Manuel) Rivera (Mayly), Margarita (Margie) Welch (Mike +) and her 4-legged baby Snowball. Grandmother to LaCrisha Trevino, Andrea Wilkinson, Joe Chagolla, Amanda Edwards, David Cruse, Stephen Rivera, Devon Welch, Marissa Cruse, Samantha Rivera, Ben Welch (+), Cristina Rivera, Johnny Rivera, Sam Welch, Martin Fernandez, she was also a great-grandmother to 23 and was a great-great grandmother to 1 and 1 on the way. She has also left behind her siblings, Ana Romero and Alberto Romero, along with Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and many dear friends.
Maria was family to many but was also a great community supporter. She dedicated many years of her life to serve others, people she knew and people that she did not know.
During the late 1970’s she was a catalyst in having the first Spanish mass in the St. Louis area. She also was key in having multiple Cuban families helped during the second wave of refugees. In 1985 when a big earthquake hit Mexico City, she worked endless hours to get a 48’ trailer full of shoes to help the hardest hit in Mexico.
During the month of September, she would always volunteer at the Hispanic Festivals throughout the St. Louis area. Many people depended on her to make these events a total success.
Later she helped many people by translating from Spanish to English and vice versa during their time of need. Sometimes it was at a hospital bedside, doctor's office or other times during a court trial. Also, during this time, she was a Mary Kay consultant. She loved working and teaching her clients about beauty products and skin care. She dedicated 10 years with being awarded her director’s consultant blue jacket and her Mary Kay red car.
Maria will be remembered with love and great memories from all her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, sister, brother and many dear friends. MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE.
A visitation for Maria will be held Friday, July 8, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63125. A Mass will occur Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 5418 Louisiana Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63111. A reception will be held, proceeding church services, at the V.F.W. Hall 4223, 215 Military Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63125 Maria's burial will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum in St. Louis, Missouri.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HoffmeisterSouthCounty.com for the Gusman/Rivera family.
