Maria del Carmen J. Noriega Rivas, a loving friend and caring mother of three, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was 54 years old.

Maria was born May 28, 1966 in Lima, Peru. She graduated from the Instituto Superior Pedag?gico National de Educacion Inicial and was a beloved educator who taught in elementary schools, spending most of her career at Liceo Naval Contralmirante Montero, a school designated for teaching the children of Marines.

Maria moved to the United States on Feb. 7, 2001, working for many years in Orlando's hospitality industry. She was a devout Roman Catholic who was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park until her passing.

Maria is survived by her mother, Ines Rivas Lostaunau; her brother, Henry A. Noriega; her daughter, Marianella Falbo; and her sons, Andres A. Zapata Noriega and Alejandro Zapata Noriega.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, June 1 at noon in the Chapel of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. in the main church. A Committal Service will be held later that afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at Queen of Angels Catholic Cemetery.

The family recommends, should friends desire, donating to the Florida chapter of The ALS Association at ALS.org/Florida/Donate in lieu of sending flowers.