Abigail Eloise Rivas, a life-time resident of Lompoc, passed away Saturday the 30th of October at her home in Lompoc. She passed away peacefully in the arms of her loving husband, surrounded by family and friends. This passing ended a yearlong courageous battle with lung cancer.

On January 22, 1937 – In a small ranch house in Lompoc, CA, and at the hands of Dr. L. Heiges Sr., Abigail was born to her loving parents Rogelio and Vivian Velasquez (Gonzalez).

Abigail was very proud of growing up in the small community of Lompoc. She talked with pride in attending the old single room Artesia School House as a child, and further on through Lompoc High School. Abigail met the love of her life Abraham Rivas in the Fall of 1960, and they were joined in marriage on February 11, 1961.

Abigail started work with Bodger Seed as a young woman and then later went on to work with Victor and Toshi Inouye at Inouye's Market for ten years. After a brief stint as a homemaker, she returned to work at Valley Rexall, where she worked for twenty plus years, until her retirement when Valley Rexall closed its doors. She always spoke about and cherished the relationships that evolved throughout the years, with a little partiality to her fellow "old timers."

Abigail's life revolved around her family. She enjoyed doing anything that involved them. Her special times were all holidays, annual vacations at the lake, and any other time she spent with her family. She enjoyed gardening and collecting her keepsakes. She always was smiling and behind that smile was the pillar of strength of the family. Later in life, she embraced the time she was able to spend with all her grandchildren and share in their life experiences.

Abigail is survived by her Husband of Fifty Years Abraham Rivas of Lompoc, son David Rivas (Janet) of San Luis Obispo, daughter Diane Woodson (Roy) of Tule Lake, CA, son Daniel Rivas (Kimberly) of Paso Robles, and her six grandchildren, Luke Woodson, Jacob Woodson, Samantha Rivas, Joel Rivas, Sean Rivas, and Danielle Rivas, as well as her sisters Victoria Aguiniga and Esther Tobin of Lompoc, sister Ruth Lewis of Orcutt, brother David Velasquez (Rose) of Tempo Hill, MD, brothers Marvin and Richard Velasquez of Santa Maria, and brother Rossi Velasquez (Shannon) of Lompoc a long with numerous nieces and nephews.
A special thank you from the family to Becky Valverde and Rose Tyler for the very special care and love they provided during this time.

The visitation will be on Wednesday, November 3, 2010, from 4-8 pm with the recitation of the holy rosary at 7 pm in the chapel of the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary (123 N. "A" St. in Lompoc). The mass of Christian burial will be Thursday at La Purisma at 10 am followed by graveside services at the Lompoc Cemetery. There will be a celebration of life at Abraham Rivas's home following the graveside services.

In Lieu of Flowers Memorial Contributions can be made to the Patient Access Network, 900 19th St. Northwest Suite 200, Washington D.C., 20006 or Contact Katie Kraft at Ph: 202-384-1474 or kkraft@panfoundation.org.