Family Histories:

FAMILY OF:

MANUEL Q. RIVERA AND MARGARET (MAGGIE) JIMENEZ

Reverend Bryan W. Sherry, J.C.L.

Church of the Assumption
221 East 8th Street
Florence, Arizona 85232

This letter is to acknowledge the 125th Anniversary celebration of our church, Assumption of Mary Parish of Florence. The Family hopes it will be a successful one.

This is a little history of our family. Manuel Q. Rivera was born on the La Nopalera Ranch, south of the border in Mexico on September 10, 1909. Records show that Manuel was baptized at Alter, Sonora on June 24, 1910. At the age of 1 year, his family moved to Arivaca, Arizona. His parents were Luis Z. Rivera and Manuela Quiroz. Other children included Reynaldo, Delores, Carlos, Edward, Lusia, Artemisa, Luis, Jesus, Alex and Ilasar. The only ones living now are Carlos from Morgan Hill, California. and Manuel from Florence. The family moved to Florence in 1926 and part of the family is buried in the Florence Cemetery.

Margaret (Maggie) Jimenez was born in Nogales, Sonora on December 20, 1907, to Benicio Jimenez and Mercedes Grijalva. Maggie died on April 22, 1994. Other children were Marion, Benny, Joe, Celia, Andy, Betty, Ruben, Rudolph (Mickey) and Victor Mesa. The family moved to Florence in 1914 with the three older children and the rest were born here in Florence.

Manuel and Maggie were married at the Courthouse on March 10, 1940, and later, through the church, on August 22, 1964. Prior to the marriage, Manuel had two sons, Eddie and Gilbert. Maggie was a widow. Her husband, Andronico Ramirez, had died in the year 1938 and left her with three children, Andy (Pringie), Mary Ann and Molly. Manuel and Maggie's sons and daughters include:

Andy (Pringie) Ramirez Parker, AZ.
Mary Ann Celaya Florence, AZ.
Edward Rivera Douglas, AZ.
Molly Padilla Pinetop, AZ.
Gilbert Rivera San Francisco, Ca.
Louie Rivera Florence, AZ.
Olivia (Bebe) Padilla Florence, AZ.
Delia (Dilly) Rivera Florence, AZ.
Rachel Silvas Florence, AZ.

Fondest memories of our church were offering of flowers during the month of May. Rachel and Dilly remember going to leave fresh eggs to Father Jacques. We also can recall Father Jacques’ strict guidance at catechism classes in the old Gila Chapel with the nuns. When Tony and Molly were married by Father Jacques, he gave them a large Crucifix, which has traveled with them in all of their moves throughout Arizona. The family has always enjoyed listening to the church Mariachi group.

After a meeting in Tucson, Pringie brought three members of The Knights of Columbus from Parker (which he is associated with) to Florence to see the restoration of La Capilla del Gila. The Knights of Columbus are responsible for raising funds to help restore the building.

Our family wants to thank the church for letting us take part in the history of our church. Also, a special thanks to Father Sherry for his support during the loss of our wonderful mother, Maggie.

Sincerely,

Manuel Q. Rivera and Family

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