Julia La Riva

Julia, Maria Osti, Felix La Riva, 87, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother & friend passed away Oct 30, 2017

She is proceeded in death by her dearest mother Belen Felix and her parents Benjamin Osti and Estelle Velaquez, siblings Francisco, "Pancho" and Juana Aguilera, Pablo Salazar, and husband Antonio A. La Riva. Julia was born in San Francisco del Oro, Chihuahua, Mexico on July 30, 1930. She was orphaned as a toddler, adopted by her parents, and was known as Maria Osti. They resided in Camargo, Mexico on Calle Trias. She enjoyed going to see American movies with her father and strolling along the plaza. She spent time with her musician brother, Pancho whose orchestra played dances in Juarez and El Paso, TX where she met her future husband. They were married in Oct. 1952 in Camargo, Mexico & settled in Albuquerque, NM. Together they raised 6 beautiful children.

During her life time, Julia pursued her many talents, which included a culinary mastery of Mexican food, she provided loving care for elders, was an excellent professional seamstress, and a highly skilled bartender. She was avid classic movie buff, an aficionado of music, some of her favorites were mariachi, boogie-woogie, country, and rock and roll, she could cut a rug and had a lilting singing voice. She was the family chronicler with her ever present camera. Though she resided in the US her love of native Mexico was legendary. She was a gifted speaker of Spanish, had a "dicho" for any given scenario, and a fun-loving nickname for everyone. She was exceptionally beautiful, creative and free-spirited. She made her mark on the world, on her own terms and will be dearly missed.

Julia is survived by her children Rosa Marina and husband Bill Fisher, Gloria Estela and husband Richard Becker, Genevieve, Ruben, Julie and Eileen and husband Levi Herrera; grandchildren, Michela, Antonio, Damien, Valeen, Ona Rose, Galen, Forest, Annabel, Madeline, Marielle, Meaghan & Mariah and extended family and friends.

Pallbearers are: godson Benjamin Aguilera, grandsons Antonio, Damien, Galen, Forest, and nephew Raul Salazar.

Viewing will be at The Most Holy Rosary, 5415 Fortuna Rd. N.W. on Fri., Nov. 3rd, at 6:30pm with a Rosary recited at 7pm. Mass will be celebrated at The Most Holy Rosary on Saturday, November 4th, at 9am, burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.