Mary Lou Rivera

Mary Lou Rivera, age 74, of rural Carbondale, KS, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at KU-St. Francis Hospital.

She was born the daughter of Louis F. and Isabel (Martinez) Rivera on September 21, 1950, in Topeka, KS.

After high school, Mary Lou attended and graduated from Washburn University. She started teaching at Topeka High School where she also coached various sports that included, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and the girls track team. Mary Lou excelled as a track coach, and she was inducted into the Topeka High School Sports Hall of Honor for her role in the 1974 girls track team being the first to win a Track State Title. The group of nine girls set a State Record in the 440 and they grabbed the Regional and City Championships. It was an honor near and dear to Mary Lou.

After teaching and coaching, Mary Lou decided to go back to school and earned her master’s degree from the University of Kansas. She then started her long career and retired as the Director of Engineering and Communications from Southwestern Bell. Mary Lou’s hobbies included fishing, studying family genealogy, taking trips to the casino, and rooting for her KU Jayhawks. Her favorite time was spent at home, near her pond, soaking up the enjoyment with friends and family. She would host annual 4th of July parties at her property, and it was a time for celebration, laughter and stories. Those times will be greatly missed but the memories created will be cherished.

Survivors include her beloved friend, Betsy Clingan; two brothers, Paul Rivera and his wife Olivia, Raymond Rivera and his wife Karen; as well as one sister, Gloria Rivera. Other survivors include a loving extended family of many nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as her godchildren, Lisa Rivera and Daunte Pugh.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robert & Rick Rivera; sister, Anita Rivera, and half-sister, Vera De La Torre.

She will lie in state from 5-7:00 P.M., on Monday, July 21, 2025, with a rosary being prayed at 6:30 P.M., at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., on Tuesday, July 22, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.