Dead woman's mother strives to move forward

VASQUEZ DE CORONÁDO, Costa Rica -- The mother of the Jamaica Plain woman killed last week in a Big Dig tunnel collapse said she is anxious to bury her daughter and move on.

``I want all of this to end," said Miriam Vargas, 61.

Vargas spoke during an interview in her house, a small, concrete, one-bedroom dwelling covered with a metal roof about 20 minutes north of San Jose, Costa Rica's capital.

She expressed no anger or resentment about the collapse, which occurred as Milena Del Valle and her husband, Angel, were driving to Logan International Airport.

Ceiling panels fell on the couple's Buick sedan, crushing the car and killing Del Valle.

``God knows why this had to happen," said Vargas, an evangelical Christian. ``There is no reason to be sad, because in God we have hope."

Del Valle, who left for the United States about five years ago, always sent money and gifts, Vargas said. ``God took care of me through Milena," she said.

Angel Del Valle arrived in Costa Rica Sunday afternoon with relatives, including his sister, brother, and father. The family is staying in a nearby hotel, Vargas said.

A memorial service is expected to be held at Oasis de Esperanza , an evangelical church where Del Valle worshipped. The burial will take place in a cemetery near the church.

(Correction: Because of an editing error, a photo credit in yesterday's City & Region section accompanying a story about the mother of Milena Del Valle, the woman killed in the tunnel connector accident, was incorrect. Essdras M Suarez of the Globe staff took the picture of Miriam Vargas in her home in San Jose, Costa Rica.)