Nati Fuentes, an 'Eastside hero and champion for all of Riverside' has died

Every Sunday morning Natividad Fuentes made it to the 10:30 a.m. mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, her neighborhood church since childhood.

 

It was a shock to all when she no longer joined her fellow parishioners at mass. The passing of a true hero is a time of reflection and gratitude for all that they dedicated their lives to, unselfishly, with passion and with the needs of others at the forefront of their actions. She passed away on July 3, 2024. 

 

Born and raised in Riverside on December 25, 1936, Nati committed herself to the betterment of her community. A product of the Riverside Unified School District and Poly High School, Nati began her career in the mid-1950s in various roles, always caring for her community. She immersed herself on committees and just didn’t participate but took active roles in addressing community needs. She later graduated from Cal Baptist University and continued her life of service to others.

 

Nati was often typified as a modest leader and that is true. She was also passionate, strong and battled for causes that she knew were important, especially those impacting children and the ability of persons to live in a neighborhood and city that treated them fairly, without prejudice and provided resources to enable them to succeed and be meaningful contributors to their great community.

 

Nati was a formidable community force from the mid-1950s until her 2006 retirement as executive director of the Concilio for Spanish Speaking of the Inland Empire. The historic non-profit Eastside School, operated by the Concilio, opened in 2007 and was named the Nati Fuentes Centro de Niňos, a true testament to a living legend in the community.

 

Nati was involved in many organizations and received many awards in her career, which demonstrate her ever long contribution to Riverside. Among awards she received were YWCA Women of Achievement Award, Riverside Community Service Award, Riverside Citizen of the year, Martin Luther King Jr. Award, Consulado de Mexico Reconocimiento Ohtli Award, Hispanic Image Non-profit of the Year Award, Jack B. Clarke Good Neighbor Award, Congreso de Pueblos Unidos Community Service Award, Eastside Community Action Award, LULAC award and the Gran Fiesta Ranchera Community Service Award, among many others.

 

Committees she was involved with included: Chairperson of the Eastside Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Community Development Block Grant, Project REACH, Urban League Board of Directors. Jess Carlos Memorial Committee, LULAC, Latino Network, Women’s Democratic Club, Arrowhead for Children Association and Fiesta de la Familia Committee, among others.

 

Starting her career during challenging times in our nation and before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Nati truly opened many doors so others could succeed. Her work is recognized, appreciated and valued.

 

Thank you Nati Fuentes, for not being afraid to knock on the doors and open them, sometimes forcefully, so others could benefit. We thank and respect all that you have done for the community. Modest, fuerte, caring, loving…Rest in peace Natividad “Nati” Fuentes, one of Riverside’s “finest”.

 

Funeral services are scheduled for July 23 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine. Viewing at 10 a.m., Rosary at 10:30 a.m., Mass at 11:00 and resting at Evergreen Cemetery.