Financial help is urgently needed to cover funeral expenses for Gloria Rivera Cerda. While there is life insurance ($15,000), this amount unfortunately does not cover the entirety of the cost for a traditional funeral, a final wish Gloria had wanted. Her hope was to be buried at Eternal Hills in Oceanside, surrounded by the family she gained while living in California.

Before she passed, this GoFundMe was set up to cover the down payment of future funeral expenses: since she has passed however, and the down payment was not secured, the cost for a funeral has risen significantly.

The Cerda Family is asking for donations to cover the remainder of fees ($20,000) in order to grant Gloria’s last wish: she deserves to rest the way she had envisioned.

Anything and everything is very much appreciated.

As of September 2024, Gloria (74) was diagnosed with a rare tumor located in her spine. A surface infection revealed the inoperable tumor and Gloria bravely opted for hospice care in the wake of this devastating information. Her wish was to be at home, with her family, surrounded by love and familiarity.

As the months went on, Gloria became stronger, the skin infection that had reached down to her bone was miraculously healing: the wound care doctor, along with anyone who was aware of her condition, was amazed at how fast the wound was healing. Hope was turning into reality.

That, however, was only the healing of her wound: the malignant tumor was still very much a quiet truth.

The month of February 2025 is when Gloria’s health started to dramatically decline. She began to eat less, losing significant weight and muscle mass. The week of February 13, she began to hallucinate, a symptom that had seemed to dissipate quickly once her health had improved, and as of February 20, 2025, Gloria Rivera Cerda lost the battle for her life.

Gloria Rivera was one of four girls born in Colorado. While visiting her sister in Oceanside, she met, fell in love, and married Leonard Cerda in 1972, at St. Mary’s Church. Gloria is survived by her husband, Leonard,

children, Elena, Victoria, and Emiliano and partner, Amelia,

grandchildren, Daniela, Eli’ana, and Ari’ana,

as well as her mother, Juanita (96), and her three sisters.

I love you so much, mom. Missing you will never get easier. ️

-victoria