Maria Rivera Vega

Maria Rivera Vega was born on October 5, 1926 in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. She was the daughter of Marcelina Vega and Juan Rivera, who had twelve children, six boys and six girls. They were born and lived in Mount St. Elena in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, which had a panoramic view of the islands of Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. Life in the country was adventurous, exciting, and laborious for Maria. She, and her brothers and sisters were surrounded by cows, bulls, dogs, cats, pigs, goats, turkeys, snakes, rabbits, horses, chickens, hens, and guineas. Products from agriculture provided for daily food and exchange for fish and other products. The girls and boys would carry water from the river to the house and also help in gardening. These chores contributed to Maria’s strong physical fitness. She also had a green thumb. Whatever she planted was productive. Maria attended a multi-grade elementary school about five miles from home. Classes began at 8:00am and ended at noon with lunch. Children would bring a pile of wood so that the cook could make lunch. At the age of 20, Maria traveled to New York. She ventured to travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico got on a Pan American plane to Miami, and then traveled by bus to New York. She first lived in lower Manhattan, 37 Allen Street, the 6th floor. In New York, she had four children: Jennie, Myrna, Robert, and Esther who were disciplined with a iron hand. It was in New York that Maria made a decision to become a Seventh-day Adventist. From there on and her life had meaning; she made it her purpose to share Christ’s love, hope, strength, and peace. Maria returned to Puerto Rico for some time and then finally moved to Florida. She became a member of the Spanish Seventh-day Church of Kissimmee. At the age of 92 it was a little hard for her to go to church but nevertheless she faithfully read daily her devotional book, the Sabbath School lessons, the Bible, and books from Ellen G. White. Our mother will be remembered for many inspiring reasons. In her neighborhood, she was known for her friendliness, generosity, and patient listening. At church, she will be remembered for her fervent singing and friendliness. Her family will remember, how she always shared her faith and her creativity for making-up her own melody for all the hymns in the Adventist Hymnal. Her motto was “Time is gold”; a worthy phrase for all of us today. Maria is resting, sleeping for a short time; very soon Christ will come for the second time to resurrect those that have been faithful. Make plans to see Maria again and join her in praises to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The family will receive friends on Sunday March 8, 2020 from five o'clock pm to eight o'clock pm at Funeraria Porta Coeli 2801 E. Osceola Parkway Kissimmee, FL 34743. A funeral service will take place at six o'clock pm that same evening in the chapel of Funeraia Porta Coeli. A Prayer Service will be conducted on Monday March 9, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Osceola Memory Gardens, Kissimmee Chapel. Interment will follow in Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery, Funeral Home and Crematory, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744. 407.847.2494. www.osceolamemgds.com.

Maria Rivera Vega

October 5, 1926 - March 5, 2020