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Donna - Florinda Mendez-Rivas passed away at the age of 48 on Friday, October 14, 2022. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Hawkins Funeral Home in Donna.
Our dear Florinda Mendez gave her last breath on October 14, 2022, at the age of 48 in Sioux Falls. She was a loving mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin and friend who was always there when we needed her. She was predeceased by her mother, Consuelo Rivas. Florinda is survived by her husband Jesus Mendez, her son, Raul Mendez, and her father, Alberto Rivas. She was also survived by her four siblings, siblings in law and numerous nieces and nephews.
I would like to begin by thanking everyone for coming to celebrate Florinda’s life. Flor was the most caring person I’ve ever known and I know many of you would agree. She would always make time to help a friend or a family member without expecting anything in return.
Florinda was born on December 28, 1973 in Reynosa Tamaulipas. She was the third child of Alberto Rivas and Consuelo Pacheco de Rivas. She shared her childhood with her sisters Florestela (Tati), Maria de Jesus (Chuya), Esmeralda and her brother René.
Her childhood was spent making memories with her siblings and neighbors in Monterrey, where they would play freely until the street lights lit the games and the parents called them in. Unlike most kids, she was her mother’s shadow. She was often seen walking with her to el mercado to be a helping hand. Her help never dwindled. Once she was in the States, she rose to be the one everyone relied on. Her sisters, her mother, her whole family knew her to be smart, strong and reliable.
Flor attended schools in Monterrey, Mexico, Mercedes and Donna, Texas. She was part of the Donna High School graduating class of 1993 and she earned an Associates in Accounting from STC in 2012. Everyone knows our Florecita as a hard worker. She held multiple jobs throughout her life and was always a valuable asset everywhere she worked. From being a caretaker, tax expert, to being a bookkeeper and a Training Specialist for Smithfields Foods, she was never afraid of trying new things; like opening her own candy store, Dulcemania, or moving to a new state to embark on a whole new adventure. Her Proyecto Azteca peers shared their memories of her as filled with nothing but joy. She was someone who asked for so little, but gave so very much.
Flor and Jesus met at the Donna Seventh Day Adventist Church and they were married on March 26, 2000. Her son, Raul, was her pride and joy. He grew up to be her loyal companion. Everywhere she went, he was at her side. The voice of reason at her shoulder. The family of three spent their time visiting cousins and grandparents, watching movies in their free time and building memories together. The three loved making traditions like taking Raul to Johnny Carino’s for his birthday every year.
Growing up, Flor was active in the church community, volunteering or serving in different roles. She spent many hours cooking, crafting and driving for her community. She was known for her heart and her willingness to put others first. Everyone knows her laughter was contagious. Flor was passionate about her nieces and nephews and she was the glue keeping everyone together. You could always expect a call or a text from her no matter how busy her life was.
During her latest visit to Texas, she shared her plans revealing that despite the short trip, she made time to reconnect and spend time with neighbors and childhood friends, even traveling to see her family in Monterrey. Relationships were so important to her.
The world is a sadder place without our Florecita in our lives. But Flor touched each and every one of us and has left us with memories we will cherish forever.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.