Beatriz Rivas Bright

Beatriz Rivas Bright 1946 - 2026 To know Beatriz Bright is to know a soul who deeply loved all who entered her life. With her defining smile, warmth, and generosity, Beatriz lived by her values and her religion. A more loving mother, loyal friend, or dedicated teacher would be hard to find. Beatriz was born in Peru in 1946 to Sixto Rivas Zigarra and Aurora Siles de Rivas. It was there that she met her future husband, Jack Bright, when she enrolled in an English class at the Binational Institute in Arequipa directed by Jack. For Jack, it was love at first sight. They married soon thereafter and together raised three children as they navigated the life of a U.S. foreign service officer in Peru, Costa Rica, and eventually in the US, settling in Tucson. To pursue her love of teaching, Beatriz received her bachelor's degree in education and secondary teaching at the Santa Maria Catholic University in Arequipa and later studied English both in Arequipa and Santa Barbara, CA. She then embarked on a lifelong career teaching both English and Spanish that spanned several decades in both the US and Peru. After retiring from Head Start, where she was a treasured teacher, Beatriz volunteered teaching Spanish for years through her church, Saint Francis De Sales. Known fondly as “the Banana Lady,” she delivered bananas weekly for over a decade to a charity affiliated with her church. She also volunteered with Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona to give communion at an assisted living center.

She often told stories from her childhood about giving sweets to the poor, a kindness that stayed with her throughout her life.

Beatriz embraced her second life as a grandmother with boundless love and devotion. Caring for her grandchildren, Sagan and Ruby (children of Thomas and Rosemary), became one of the greatest joys of her life, blending her nurturing spirit with her love of family and teaching. They brought her immense pride and happiness, and the memories she shared with them will be cherished by her family forever.

Beatriz liked to laugh and loved a good joke, which even further endeared her to her large circle of good friends and family. Beatriz prided herself on her Peruvian cooking. We all loved her ahi de gallina and empanadas. Her kitchen and her home were a truly inviting and comfortable place. Because she valued

health so highly, Beatriz remained active and vibrant. She belonged to a gym for many years where she trained with a personal trainer and pushed herself to stay active and strong.

All her children treasure the love she showered on them and the loving discipline with which she raised them to become responsible and caring adults.

Beatriz is survived by her children John, Thomas (Rosemary), Alexandra, Terry (Tom), Bonnie (Brint), and Peter; her grandchildren Sagan and Ruby, children of Thomas and Rosemary; brothers Mariano and Eduardo; her extended family of nephews and cousins.

Beatriz Rivas Bright passed away at Peppi’s Hospice surrounded by loved ones at her side.

We will miss our beloved Beatriz greatly and will hold her in our hearts forever.