Irma Rivera

She was preceded in death by her husband Julio C. Rivera (JC) and all of her siblings. She is survived by her children, Leticia Rivera, Julio C. Rivera Jr. (Cathy), Jimmie Rivera, Johnnie Rivera (Mary), and Annie R. Santiago (Raul); and grandchildren, Jessica Jackson, Rachel Jackson, Tiffany Rivera, Jimmie Rivera Jr., Shawn Rivera, Jennifer Smith, Sara Rivera, Jennifer Martinez, Jason Sabado, Johnnie Rivera Jr., Sr. Briana Santiago and Danielle Stone; and great grandchildren, Remy, Alijay, Genevieve, Camden, Lola, Solomon, Mikey, Brody, Logan, Olivia and Riley.

Grandma Slick was born August 19, 1931 in Cayey, Puerto Rico and was 91 years old when she passed. She and her siblings grew up in Brooklyn, New York where she met the love of her life, JC. They married in 1952. She was a loving, hardworking and devoted Air Force wife. JC's Air Force assignments had the family living in Louisiana, New York, Germany and Hawaii. They moved to San Antonio in 1964.

Grandma Slick was a devout Catholic. She spent many hours every day in prayer, saying rosaries and watching local, national and international Catholic masses and events. She had a double-sided, hand-written prayer list and prayed for each person by name. When prayer intentions were added we would give her index cards or sticky notes and she never threw any of them away. It was always late afternoon or early evening that she would proudly announce to us that she finished all her prayers.

She had a passion for cooking and feeding people. “My cooking, my food, is an expression of my love,” perfectly describes her. Her Puerto Rican rice was a meal on its own, and so many people experienced the joy of eating it. There was an ongoing competition to be the first one to say "This is the best rice ever!" Everyone wanted her recipe which was not written down. We had to film her and then take notes.

Grandma Slick really enjoyed her swimming pool and we had countless fun times in it. She was still doing handstands in the pool through her early 80's. We would have a contest to see who could hold their breath underwater for the longest time and she would always win. Swimming made us hungry, and she always had plenty of food and snacks for our appetites.

Christmas was her favorite holiday to celebrate. She loved having her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren around. She loved to decorate her house inside and out. She would serve a feast to everyone including neighbors and friends. She loved gift-giving and seeing the smiles on our faces.

She was the last of her “Golden Girls” group and the last of the military wives era in her neighborhood. Since the Covid lockdown, she spent her final years living with Annie and Raul, and she loved having visitors! When we left the house, she would jokingly tell us not to hurry back because she was expecting company.

Grandma Slick had a beautiful, happy smile; and she loved to laugh. Every morning she woke up, ready for coffee and ready to pray. She would always say "I cannot complain because there are others worse than me."

She was proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would always end her visits or phone calls with a heartfelt "I love you and I am praying for you." She cherished many close friendships and she treated everyone like family.

She loved receiving flowers, and she was a regular donor to many charities, especially the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Grandma Slick lived a beautiful life. We will miss her dearly, but we are so grateful for the time we had with her. We will always feel her presence in our hearts.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

ROSARYTUESDAY, MAY 2, 20237:00 PMPORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH2102 N. Loop 1604 E San Antonio, TX 78232

MASSWEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 20239:30 AMINCARNATE WORD MOTHER HOUSE CHAPEL4503 BROADWAY

To view Irma's service, please click here.

Msgr. Doug Father will officiate. Interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.