Celia R. Weiss

Celia R. Weiss (Riva) of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2026, at 98 years of age.

Daughter of the Late Isadore and Anna Adlerstein. Beloved wife of the late Daniel Weiss. Beloved mother of Julie Weiss of Shrewsbury, MA, and Alan Weiss of Boston, MA. Cherished grandmother to Zachary and Hannah Sullivan.

Celia R. Weiss was born in Outremont, Quebec, Canada, on January 13, 1928. She moved to Boston, MA, when she married Danny and became a United States citizen in 1954.

Riva was a woman of sharp wit, boundless love, fierce loyalties and strong opinions. She knew what she believed, loved whom she loved and rarely left anyone guessing where she stood.

An avid reader, Riva was seldom without a book in her hand. Historical fiction, history, prize-winning literature and current affairs all competed for her attention. The last book Riva read before her stroke in 2020 was the Mueller Report, Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election. She paid attention, had opinions, and wasn’t shy about sharing them.

If not reading on her bench in front of the house, she was working on her next crochet, needlepoint, or knitting project with CNN or MCNBC in the background.

Her passions were clear to anyone who knew her: she was a die-hard fan of the Montreal Canadians, bleeding bleu, blanc, et rouge. Her dedication to the Habs was matched only by her legendary dislike for all Boston sports teams—a competitive rivalry she upheld with great pride, humor, and enthusiasm throughout her entire life.

Above all else, Riva loved her family and her beloved pets. She was a deeply devoted grandmother to Hannah and Zach, creating a lifetime of cherished memories. Her Shih-Tzus, Zelda, Becky, and Frankie, who were always treated like royalty, brought her immeasurable happiness and constant companionship.

A special thank you to the nurses and staff on the 2nd floor at Stone Rehabilitation and Senior Living in Newton Upper Falls for the care and compassion in her final years.

She will be missed and leaves behind a legacy of love, curiosity, conviction, and the courage to be entirely herself.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Riva’s memory with a donation to the American Civil Liberties Union, an organization reflecting her commitment to issues she cared about, online at action.aclu.org/give/now