Salem - Alicia, our wife, mother, grandmother, sister and especially friend for all time has gone to rest in a safe, pain-free place. She's dancing to her Tejano music among the stars, tapping her feet to Michael Buble's "Sway" and especially to Hawaiian singer Iz, crooning "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Of course, as a misplaced Texan living in Oregon, she never forgot her country roots with George Strait and her beloved Dallas Cowboys.

Alicia was a woman of strong convictions, belief in God, solid work ethic and compelling dedication to her family. She loved them all so very much. Alicia had a wonderful, quirky sense of humor, sometimes with a little bite to it - but never hurtful.

Alicia came to Oregon with her family in the early 1960's to work the fertile fields during summer. While attending high school in Woodburn, she held odd jobs selling shoes at Ben Franklin and staffing the ticket booth and selling snacks at the Pix Theater. That's when her future became clear as she spied a glimpse of her future husband, Juan, leaning up against the wall in the lobby. Love at first sight, she used to say.

At Woodburn High School, Alicia excelled at choir and was a kick-ass volleyball player. She later was very competitive in city-league softball. Professionally, Alicia worked for the Salem-Keizer School District, Social Security Administration, and retired from Marion County Developmental Disabilities.

Upon her marriage to Juan Rivera on April 26, 1975, the family grew to include four children: Juan Daniel (Erika), Maricela Gonzalez (Junior), Elisa Rodriguez (Ruben), Mario Rene (Rebecca), and stepdaughter Stefanie Torres-Navarro (Tito). In addition to her husband Juan and children, Alicia is survived by 16 grandchildren, 11 siblings and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, aunts, uncles, godchildren and friends. Alicia was preceded in death by her parents, Salvador and Josefina Cantu. Rest in peace, little sister.

Viewing is scheduled for 3pm on Friday, June 24, at Simon Cornwell in Woodburn; Rosary is at 6pm also at Simon Cornwell and funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28 at 11am at Sacred Heart Church in Gervais, Oregon.