Long Beach dedicated Jenni Rivera Memorial Park on Thursday to honor the Mexican American singer who died in a plane crash in 2012. Rivera's granddaughter Jaylah Hope Yanez plays with a butterfly near the park's mural, dubbed the “Mariposa de barrio,” the neighborhood butterfly. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
By RUBEN VIVEScontact the reporter
The late Mexican American superstar Jenni Rivera was something to everyone: the diva de la banda to her fans, the "Diana Ross of Mexican music" to one music executive, and a loving, hard-working mother to her family.
Rivera served as an inspiration to struggling mothers and victims of domestic violence, and was a humble donor to the needy.
On Thursday — what would have been her 46th birthday — Long Beach city officials honored the singer's legacy by bestowing her name on a park in her hometown.
Journalists interview members of Jenni Rivera's family after the park dedication. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
"There's a lot of love for this woman," Mayor Robert Garcia said. "She was a Long Beach legend."
Rivera and six others were killed in a plane crash in Mexico on Dec. 9, 2012. Her death made international headlines and prompted vigils for several days. Two years later, Long Beach Councilman Dee Andrews, with support from Garcia and others, pushed to have a park named after the singer.
lRelated - L.A. NOW - Suspicious package found at bank in Lakewood Center Mall deemed harmless - SEE ALL RELATED
"I've always been amazed by the hurdles she had to overcome and impressed by the all the people she helped through her foundation," Andrews said. "She did not help because she had to; she helped because she knew that was the right thing to do."
