Thousands of fans bid their final goodbye to Jenni Rivera
in a public memorial service celebrating her life and legacy at the
Gibson Amphitheatre on Wednesday, December 19. Her red casket sat at the
front of the venue amid dozens of white roses as her family and friends
including fellow Mexican singers Joan Sebastian and Ana Gabriel paid
their tributes.
"We're not here to mourn her death, we're here to celebrate her life,"
said Jenni's 21-year-old son Michael Rivera. He called the memorial a
"graduation of a singer, entertainer, philanthropist and more than
anything a mother, the best mother." He additionally said in between the
video tributes, "She's a fighter and she knows it's in all of us."
Her four other children also spoke lovingly of their mother. Her oldest
daughter Janney "Chiquis" Marin Rivera declared the late singer "the
best mom we could ask for." She continued singing praise for the Diva de
la Banda, "She's funny, playful, passionate and strict when needed and
an absolute warrior when it comes to making sure we're okay!"
Another heartfelt tribute came from her other daughter Jenicka Lopez
Rivera. "My mom was beautiful and she had a giving heart," the teen girl
said in front of more than 6.000 people with teary eyes. "And I'm sorry
for not being an obedient daughter, a respectful daughter. I can say
mom that you are my warrior, you are my rock."
11-year-old Johnny, her youngest son from her marriage with her second
husband Juan Lopez who died in 2009, additionally stated, "The person
that everyone's talking about is my mom. Mama, I've been crying so much
these last few days. I miss you so much. I hope you're taking care of my
dad and I hope he's taking care of you, too."
"I've never seen a mom work so hard to accomplish anything," he said. "I
only had 11 short years with my mom. But it's a real honor to say that
Jenni Rivera is my mom. That she still lives in me. This is the hardest
thing I've ever had to go through in my life, but I am happy to say my
mother has moved on and she's finally happy."
Her brother Pedro Rivera Jr., who is a pastor, said of his sister is
Spanish, "Because she had the courage and power inside her, she said she
would never give up and was victorious. ... My sister, Jenni, died in a
plane accident, but it was not an accident, God has a purpose for all
of us and God gave let us borrow her for 43 years and enjoy her."
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