Amelia Rivas was called to her eternal reward on December 24, 2024. She was born on August 11, 1929 in Iquira, Colombia, South American, the daughter of Zenon Rivas and Concepcion Perdomo Rivas. Besides her parents, five brothers and four sisters have preceded her in death. One surviving brother, Zenon lives in Colombia, South America. Amelia also has many surviving nieces and nephews.
After moving to Bogota at a young age, Amelia joined the missionary Sister of the Divine Savior. Having completed training in Rome, Italy she served in Nazareth, Israel for four years and another four years in Tanzania, East Africa. She came to the United States in 1970 and became a U.S. Citizen in 1975.
She continued a life of service to God by serving others as a nurse assistant and physical therapist. For four years she worked as a counselor at the Arizona State Mental Hospital after which she completed training to become a hospital chaplain and spiritual counselor. She applied these skills as a member of the pastoral team of St. Theodore Parish in Albert Lea, Minnesota for six years and then as a chaplain at St. Mary Hospital for ten years in Streator, Illinois.
After retiring from St. Mary’s in 1996, she moved to McMinnville continuing her life of service, assisting the Pastors assigned to St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in ministry to the community. Amelia gave selflessly to many over the years in Warren County assisting in translations whenever asked, volunteering many years with Habit for Humanity, and supporting Warren County Food Bank. She remained active in daily community life at St. Catherine’s until called home to her eternal reward.
A celebration of Amelia’s life will take place with a funeral Mass, Fr. Marneni Showraiah, OFM officiating on January 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, 1024 Faulkner Springs Road, McMinnville, Tennessee followed by inurnment and graveside services at Mt. View Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.
