Matthew M. Rivera, Sr.
Funeral Director/Owner
Matthew Rivera, Sr.
Licensed Funeral Director/General Manager
wecare@valornet.com
  
Born in Pueblo, Colorado, Matthew was raised in the family funeral home with 2 brothers and 3 sisters. The Rivera family lived above the communities only hispanic funeral home in Pueblo in operation for 30 years. Matthew and Tim chose to follow in their parents footsteps by serving those in need when a loved family member has died. Matthew graduated from The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service as president of his class with perfect attendance. He successfully passed his examinations administered by The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards and is the past president of The New Mexico Funeral Service Association. He also received a Special Recognition Award from The Executive Board of the National Funeral Directors Association. He is a fully licensed funeral director and embalmer and has completed hospice training, is a former Life, Accident and Health insurance agent and licensed pre-need counselor. He served as vice president for Taos County Crimestoppers and was a candidate for Taos County Magistrate Judge. He is the former president of the New Mexico Funeral Service Association during their 100th year anniversary. Matthew is a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of La Union Protectiva in Santa Fe, a past board member of The Espanola Valley Chamber of Commerce, and a member of The Espanola Rotary Club. A notary public, Matthew has been in funeral home management for over 26 years and is proud to bring these credentials to their family mortuary. He is married to Kelly and has a 21 year old son, Matthew Rivera, Jr. and new twin children; Manuel Amos and Madelynn Adina.
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Kelly Rivera
Funeral Service Intern/Outreach Coordinator
Funeral Service Intern/Co-owner
Kelly was born in Norwalk California, however her immediate family are generational residents of Taos, New Mexico. She shares Maternal Scotch-Irish roots, as well as paternal Spanish ancestry. Her ancestral grandfather, Bernardo Miera is known for his artistic detailings on the Altar screens in Cristo Rey Catholic Church in Santa Fe, NM., and was a mapmaker for the Dominguez-Escalante expedition in the 1700's. Her great grandfather; Eliseo Miera was the former Taos County Sheriff. Kelly is one of fivechildren born to George and Donna Peterson of Taos. Kelly and Matthew have newborn twin children; a son Manuel Amos and a daughter Madelynn Adina as well as a son, Matthew Rivera, Jr. She is well versed in various aspects of funeral service by working alongside her husband, however mostly working in administration. She is also licensed as a Funeral Service Intern with The New Mexico State Board of Thanatopractice. A notary public, Kelly is also a board member of The Carenet Pregnancy Center, a local non-profit dedicated to helping expectant mothers with support & education. She mostly enjoys assisting the families being served at funeral & memorial services and makes sure that families are treated well and details are followed through to their completion.
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Mary Helen Perea
Licensed Funeral Pre-Planning Consultant ~Over 26 Years Experience~
Licensed Funeral Service Intern
Mary Helen Perea has over 24 years working with New Mexico families in predominately the area of advance funeral planning. As a licensed consultant her program eases undue financial and emotional concerns often associated with funeral arrangements. She helps individuals with information and suggestions that are crucial to their loved ones in the event of an emergency. Many people including your friends and neighbors have already benefited from Mary Helens counseling in advance funeral planning. She has been a leader in her field of experience and many of her clients think of her as part of their family. She also assists during evening services and funeral related ceremonies and has become a fixture at the family business. Mary Helen is also a notary public.
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David Salazar
Funeral attendant-public relations
David Salazar is one of the original family members of the Block-Salazar Mortuary. His father J. Ramon Salazar took over the management of the family business in 1950 while David and his brothers were serving their country in the armed forces. His brother Johnny Block founded the Espanola and Santa Fe locations, and David has enjoyed assisting the family in the Espanola location throughout the years. David has been involved in many community activities and also politics. He has served as the county assessor, board member of the Jemez Mountains Electric Co-op for many years. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Disabled American Veterans, as well as other organizations. David is valuable to our funeral home by helping us in keeping with the special traditions & customs unique to the Espanola valley residents.
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Salomon Sanchez III
Rosary Attendant
Solomon Sanchez III is a resident of Dixon, NM. and is a minister at his family church, the Apostolic Praise Temple Church. His father is also a minister in the church and his mother and sister are also active in their devotion in serving their community and building their personal relationships in God. Solomon III mostly helps families with the evening and funeral services dedicated to their loved one who has passed away. He is very personable and outgoing and is a welcome friend to those in need.His voice is recognizeable to our friends & neighbors when reading the morning obituary announcements, as he also provides sunday radio sermons with his father Solomon Sanchez,II.
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Elena Sanchez
Rosary Attendant
Elena Sanchez is from Dixon, NM. and is very active in the family ministry in their church, The Apostolic Praise Temple Church. She works part-time at the family mortuary mostly as an attendant at both evening services and also at funeral services held during the day. She is also experienced in the reception office assisting customers with inquiries and families being served. She is friendly and courteous and has a great smile. She is very helpful to those experiencing the death of a family member.
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Martha Archuleta
Rosary, Funeral Attendant
Martha Archuleta is a lifelong resident of Espaņola and along with her husband, the late Donaldo Archuleta, have been longtime friends and residents of our beautiful valley. Together, they operated and were involved, in many local enterprises & community organizations. In fact, ironically, they ran the credit bureau located directly across the street from the mortuary, and have been old friends of the Salazar and Block families. Guests to our funeral home are pleasantly surprised to be greeted by Martha when they walk in.
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Janette Beesley
The Rivera family would like to welcome Janette Beesley as its newest licensed pre-need funeral planning consultant. Janette was raised in Cebolla, NM., but has resided in the Espanola Valley for most of her life. Janette attended the Espanola schools and retired from Municipal Government with 25 years of employment with both the City of Espanola and the City of Santa Fe. Janette and her husband Ken Beesley own & operate Accu Copy on La Joya street, a high volume reproduction and copy business. They have four daughters and nine grandchildren.
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Josie Montoya-War
Josie is a staff member at Rivera Family Funeral Home in Espanola and helps by assisting at funeral & evening services and in public relations. She is a native Espanola resident and worked for the city of Espanola Police Department, American Airlines as a Customer Service Representative, and for Sandoval County in the planning & zoning department. Josie is Bi-lingual and a Notary Public. She formerly attended El Camino College in Torrance, CA., and Northern New Mexico College in Espanola.She is active in the parish choir at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at Ohkay Owingeh, enjoys interacting with the public and also with her friends & neighbors in Northern New Mexico. Her parents were from Hernandez originally, but made their home in Espanola.
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