Rosa Elena Rivera

Rosa Elena Rivera, 87, of Yonkers, New York, (formerly of Copiague, Long Island, New York), passed away on January 16, 2016. Beloved wife of the late Luis A. Rivera. Loving mother of Mildred Belizaire and mother-in-law of Paul Belizaire. Cherished grandmother of Shaun Lopez and Adrianna Belizaire. Caring great-grandmother of Christopher Shaun Lopez. Dear sister of Gladys, Iris and Milagros Fargas. Friends may visit, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, Thursday, January 21, 2016 at Claude R. Boyd-Spencer Funeral Homes, 448 West Main Street, Babylon Village, New York 11702. Mrs. Rivera's Funeral Service will take place, 8:00 pm, Thursday evening at the funeral home. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home, 12 Noon on Friday, January 22, 2016 for final visitation and prayer before her funeral procession leaves, at 1:00 pm, for Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, New York where committal prayers and interment will take place at 1:30 pm. For further information, or help with directions, kindly call the funeral home at (631) 669-2400. www.boyd-spencer.com.

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While it is possible to receive good counsel from a wide circle of families and friends, few could do it with the skill and aptitude of Rosa Elena Rivera. She had a true talent for helping others reach their full potential and brought out the best in those who sought her help. Rosa was a forward-looking woman whose personality was filled with empathy toward everyone she met. She could be quiet and reserved, but her style of communication was authentic and direct. An excellent communicator, Rosa was a master at using imagery when she explained her ideas and concepts. She seemed to have an endless supply of innovative concepts and strategies for how to help those around her. Her sensitivity, kindness and generous attitude made her a wonderful friend for all who knew her.

From the time she was born on February 3, 1928, Rosa showed a deep concern for others. She was a giving and caring individual, ethical and full of integrity and warmth. Rosa came into this world at Carolina Hospital in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Her parents were Serapio and Ramona Fargas. Rosa was raised in Santurce, Puerto Rico.

Because fellowship was so important to her, Rosa promoted harmony with her siblings. She was raised with five siblings. She had one younger brother, Jose, and four younger sisters, Mariana, Gladys, Iris, and Milagros. Rosa was the oldest child. Rosa was something of the family diplomat. She helped to settle problems and conflicts and kept the family running smoothly.

As a young girl, Rosa interacted well with other children. She was helpful. She was an independent person who had a vivid imagination. Rosa had a number of interests in her youth. She was an active child. Rosa was more into cooking and helping out her grandmother while growing up. When growing up back in the old country, she just went to school and helped her mom with her younger siblings and played dolls at home. In her spare time she liked to play with her doll and cook with her mother and grandmother. Rosa's memorable achievements included that she was brought up in a humble home, she spent most of her spare time with family, especially with siblings and cousins. Rosa projected to have a positive personality, as a child growing up and carried the same trait as an adult. She was always there for her daughter, grandson and siblings, especially her sister, Gladys, whom she was very close to. Until her last days Rosa would always worry and be concerned for her sister's well being.

A good student, who was enthusiastic about learning, Rosa was considered by many to be a high achiever. She enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite courses and teachers. Able to maintain a positive focus on the potential good to be found in others, Rosa was always ready with solid advice and guidance to offer her group of friends. She was generally friendly to all who knew her, yet to some she seemed quite independent. For those who really knew Rosa, they recognized that she could be full of surprises. Rosa enjoyed a small but solid group of true friends. She would willingly support those friends when they needed it. Because of her ability to read people, she had an uncanny knack for knowing when a friend needed help. Later in life, she was mainly focused on her daughter and husband; they were her world.

One person Rosa was always very close to, was her Aunt Frances Cordero, who by the way, were three years apart. She was her relative but also her close friend, and very dear to her heart.

Rosa was romantic, even poetic at times, she loved to read poems when she got a chance. She was completely devoted to family and friends, able to show her emotions without going overboard about it. On September 1, 1953 Rosa exchanged wedding vows with Luis Antonio Rodriguez Rivera at City Hall, New York City, NY.

All who knew her would agree that there was a certain kind of magic in how Rosa was able to bond with her child. While she could be a firm disciplinarian, she could also fill the role of being a collaborator with her daughter and grandchildren. Rosa was always a mentor who helped her family reach its full potential, she was very supportive, and caring. Rosa was blessed with one child, Mildred (Millie). Rosa's daughter was her pride and joy. When Mildred was growing up, she was the perfect parent to her little girl. Millie grew up to be the woman and person Rosa always wanted her daughter to be, and the bond they shared was a special one, between a mother and child.

She was also blessed with two grandchildren, Shaun and Adrianna and one great-grandchild, Christopher. Rosa's grandchildren and great-grandchild were the center of her happiness. When her first grandchild, Shaun was born, that was one of the happiest days of her life. When Shaun was growing up his grandmother and grandfather helped take care of him while her daughter, Mildred, attended school, and also held a job. Shaun was very close to his grandmother. He was the light of her eyes. Since the day he was born, until he became an adult, with his own family. Rosa was always very attentive when it came to her grandson. Yes, they were very close.

Then a few years later her second grandchild, Adrianna came into her life. Every time she saw her little granddaughter it certainly put a smile on her face. Rosa often said, "She had a beautiful little granddaughter in Adrianna".

Adrianna also had a special bond with her grandmother. Rosa teased her, and asked Adrianna to learn how to speak in Spanish so she could tell her stories. Adrianna would smile, and every time after a visit with grandma, her granddaughter spoke a blessing in Spanish, and that put a smile on Rosa's beautiful face. Adrianna, will always remember the tenderness and love she and her grandmother shared.

Her great grandchild, Christopher, boy how she admired him, and loved him. She used to say, "What a handsome boy he is, and smart, and he is going to be an equally handsome man when he grows up". She loved it when he came to visit. She always looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren.

Rosa had a special love and admiration when it came to her daughter, grandchildren and son-in-law, Paul. Rosa showed a special kind of love for her son-in-law, Paul. He was always there when she needed anything. He drove her to doctor's appointments, along with his wife, Rosa's daughter. Rosa always told Paul, how much she appreciated the kind of person he was, very special to her. Even though he did not speak Spanish, they understood each other, and she was always happy to see him. When she was still able to cook, she would prepare one of his favorite dishes, and that brought her joy to please him, because of all the kindness Paul always showed Rosa. He felt the same way, only joy and love for his mother-in-law, he treated her like his second mom.

My mother would of been over the moon, Mildred said, to hear Shaun and his wife Yvette are expecting their first baby together. Rosa was very fond of Yvette. In the short time she was in Rosa's life, she grew to love her, and demonstrated to her a lot of affection. I know up there in heaven she knows the great news and is very happy to know, she will have a new grand baby very soon.

Rosa could be a perfectionist at times, but wasn’t one to seek of her personal recognitions. Her primary occupation was housewife. She wanted to stay home and care for her daughter. When her daughter grew up she was very proud of the woman and person she had become.

As an imaginative and inventive person, Rosa was comfortable showing her creative spirit. She enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Once Rosa took on a new project, she saw it through to its completion. Her favorite pursuits were reading the bible, which she did every day. She was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others. She loved taking care of her plants, this was one of her favorite pass times.

Rosa was a woman with clear convictions and high principles, and her faith was important to her. She was an inspiration to many people who recognized her sense of commitment and esteem for others. She was a member of St. Athanasius Church in the Bronx, NY for over 18 years, then she moved to Nassau County where she was a parishioner at Maria Regina Roman Catholic Church. Five years later she moved to Suffolk County and became a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Lindenhurst.

Rosa was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Rosa's favorites was when she was raising her daughter, she had parakeets and a German Shepherd, for about two years, then he got to be too much and they brought him back to the breeder. Rosa and Luis, her husband had Parakeets, for about five years, if they died she bought others. The dog was with the family for one year.

Rosa was always a housewife. She arrived in New York City in early 1950, and lived with her mother who was already in NY for about one year. She later got married and always remained a housewife, taking care of her little girl.

Rosa passed away on January 16, 2016 at St Johns Hospital, Yonkers NY. Rosa suffered a heart attack on December 7, 2015. After she developed fluid in her lungs, her kidneys malfunctioned, and she developed an infection in her blood stream. She is survived by her daughter, Mildred Belizaire, her grandchildren, Shaun Lopez, Adrianna Belizaire, great-grandchild Christopher Lopez, her siblings, Gladys Fargas, Iris Lopez Fargas, Milagros Fargas and last but not least her Son-in- Law, Paul Belizaire for whom she held a dear part in her heart. Services were held at Claude R. Spencer Funeral Homes, and St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic, in East Brunswick, NJ. Rosa was laid to rest in Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, NY.

Though she could be a private person at times, Rosa was always able and willing to give of herself. She was so in tune with others that she often seemed able to read their minds. Rosa carried with her an almost mystical sense of life. She was a person who was highly original in her thinking and used metaphors and symbols to describe many aspects of her life. A poetic, intuitive way of living. Rosa Elena Rivera shared herself freely, and family and friends will remember Rosa for the strength of her convictions.

Dear Mom,

I had to say goodbye to you, but those words will never be real to me. Mom, you were my Angel before you left me. You taught me so much, especially, to think of others before myself I guess that is loving, and for others unconditionally. You were always there for me. No matter what, I could always count on your love and support. Your family always came first.

Mom, I can never say goodbye to my angel, instead I will say I love you and miss you. You will always be in heart.

Until we meet again.

Millie