A LIFE CUT SHORT; PACOIMA FAMILY'S HOLIDAY DIFFICULT WITHOUT MOTHER.Byline: Peter Hartlaub and Amy Collins Daily News Staff Writers About 50 family members gathered at the Rios family Thanksgiving dinner The centerpiece of contemporary Thanksgiving in the United States is a large meal, starring a large roasted turkey. All of the dishes in the traditional American version of Thanksgiving Dinner are made from foods native to North America, according to tradition the Pilgrims received these Thursday, but their thoughts were preoccupied by the one who wasn't there. Sylvia Rios, 38, a mother of eight children ages 2 to 18, died Monday after she was hit by a car in a Pacoima crosswalk. ``Now I've got to be mom and dad,'' Jaime Rios Jaime Rios is a judge on the New York Supreme Court for Queens County. Prior to sitting on the Supreme Court, Judge Rios served on the New York City Civil Court and the Housing Court. Judge Rios holds a B.S. degree from City College of New York, a M.A. said Thursday afternoon as a few of his eight children bounded through the living room. Even with the support of the family, the task will be difficult. The Coroner's Office told the family that Sylvia's body is ready to be picked up, but they still don't have enough money to put a down payment for the funeral services funeral service n → misa de cuerpo presente funeral service n → service m funèbre funeral service funeral n . And Jaime Rios, who is unemployed, owes $13,000 in back taxes on his Pacoima home. ``There's still a lot to do. This is just the beginning,'' Sylvia's sister, Esmerelda Mariscal, said. So far, the nights have been the most difficult. ``At night is when they ask for their mother,'' Mariscal said. Rios said the youngest of his children still don't understand their mother is dead, only that she's very sick and isn't at home. ``I'm all confused. Inside, my heart's shattered shat·ter v. shat·tered, shat·ter·ing, shat·ters v.tr. 1. To cause to break or burst suddenly into pieces, as with a violent blow. 2. a. like a glass,'' Rios said. ``Nineteen years married, and I never saw her mad.'' Before the cooking began Thursday, 15-year-old Vanessa Rios was trying to remember her mother's secret recipe Secret Recipe is a lifestyle café chain and has become a household name following its debut in Malaysia since 1997. Secret Recipe has successfully established its brand name in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand by virtue of its quality cakes, fusion food and for turkey stuffing. Olives, celery celery, biennial plant (Apium graveolens) of the family Umbelliferae (parsley family), of wide distribution in the wild state throughout the north temperate Old World and much cultivated also in America. , bread crumbs, butter, lemon, orange, carrots and onions all went into the mix, she said. Then she started a list of the side dishes: mashed potatoes n. pl. 1. Potatoes which have been boiled and mashed to a pulpy consistency, usu. with sparing addition of milk, salt, butter, or other flavoring. It is a popular accompaniment to a meat course [U.S., 1900's], providing bulk and calories to a meal. , gravy, rice, beans, French rolls and pumpkin pie pumpkin pie traditional dish, especially at Thanksgiving. [Am. Culture: Flexner, 68] See : America , her mom's favorite. ``We didn't have much, but we made it look like we had a lot,'' Vanessa said. Because of her sister's death, Thanksgiving seemed to blend in Verb 1. blend in - blend or harmonize; "This flavor will blend with those in your dish"; "This sofa won't go with the chairs" blend, go fit, go - be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired; "This piece won't fit into the puzzle" with all the other days, Mariscal said. ``I can't even explain it. To me, it's just another day. But I'm going to make it special because I know that's what my sister would have done,'' she said. The family has been surprised by the donations that have come their way after the Daily News wrote about Sylvia's death and her family's plight. ``I'm really shocked by that. I didn't think anybody cared. But she touched so many people's souls,'' Jaime Rios said. ``Maybe God took her for a reason, to touch everybody's soul.'' Ileene Parker was stunned stun tr.v. stunned, stun·ning, stuns 1. To daze or render senseless, by or as if by a blow. 2. To overwhelm or daze with a loud noise. 3. to learn that Sylvia Rios is dead, but she's not surprised the woman's friends, neighbors and even total strangers have been pitching in to help her family through the crisis. An assistant director at Interfaith Family Assistance Program, Parker has seen what the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. neighborhood is capable of. ``One of the most beautiful things about this community is that so many people with so little are willing to share,'' Parker said. ``Some of these are people with two dollars and they'll give their last dollar to help a stranger.'' Rios was a regular at Interfaith, receiving food and clothing for her eight children and husband, Jaime. Parker, who spoke with Jaime's brother Wednesday, was among scores of Valley residents offering the Rios family food, money and other support in the wake of the tragedy. Betty Hawley doesn't know the family, but the Van Nuys resident bought a bag of groceries for their Thanksgiving dinner anyway. When the manager at Ralphs found out why she was there, he donated a turkey. ``They cried and cried when I gave them the groceries,'' Hawley said after delivering the food. ``And then I started crying.'' Mariscal said the family hasn't decided when funeral services will be held but has set up a trust fund at Glendale Federal Bank in Pacoima. ``They've been calling me and coming down to my house,'' Mariscal said. ``There's been a lot of support.'' Parker said she remembers walking by the accident, which happened Nov. 18, a half block away from the Interfaith building. She didn't find out who the victim was until Wednesday. ``When we realized which Rios it was, it was shocking,'' Parker said. Parker said the Rios family will get plenty of support now, but will still need help after the initial reaction to the accident is over. ``It's a tragedy in any sense, but this is a family that already had so many other impediments IMPEDIMENTS, contracts. Legal objections to the making of a contract. Impediments which relate to the person are those of minority, want of reason, coverture, and the like; they are sometimes called disabilities. Vide Incapacity. 2. in their life, this is almost too much.'' Help for the Rios family A fund has been established to assist the family of Sylvia Rios, who died Monday after she was hit by a car in a crosswalk. Donations should be made in the name of S. Rios and sent to Glendale Federal Bank, 13657 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos, box PHOTO (1) Jaime Rios comforts his daughters Vanessa, left, 15, and Sylvia, 18, as they mourn mourn v. mourned, mourn·ing, mourns v.intr. 1. To feel or express grief or sorrow. See Synonyms at grieve. 2. their mother, Sylvia. Tina Gerson/Daily News (2) Sylvia Rios Killed in collision Box: Help for the Rios family (see text) |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion