Tomasita Maria Rivera

Devoted mother to Kevin Lockett; treasured daughter to Doris DeJesus (the late Fernando DeJesus) and the late Federico Rivera; loving partner to Martin Coyne; cherished sister to Brunilda "Mimi" Rivera (Anibal), Fernando DeJesus Jr. (Jen), Gloria DeJesus, Marco DeJesus (Jennifer), Felix DeJesus (Alyssa), the late Virginia Rivera and the late Migdalia Rivera; beloved niece to Norma Rodriguez; adored Aunt to many nieces and nephews and precious friend to Joseph Rodriguez, Juan Lopez, Renee Moore, the late Megan Corrigan and many more.

Tomasita Rivera was an incredible woman whose upbringing taught her the values of hard work, generosity, and compassion. She grew up on the west side of Cleveland, where she discovered an early love for acting at the Near West Theater. Beyond her theatrical pursuits, she had a passion for fashion. As a young twenty-something working at Piccolo Mondo, an old Italian eatery on West 6th, her eccentric style caught the eye of Plain Dealer writer Roxanne Washington, who featured her in the newspaper’s People in Style column. Tomasita also shared an unbreakable bond with Puerto Rico. During her lifetime she took many trips to the island for both leisure and business, and she found her greatest joy in spending time at the beach or going to local Fiestas Patronales.

Nearing her thirties, she welcomed her one and only child, Kevin Moises Lockett, whom she shares with Kevin C. Lockett. Through great sacrifice and by leading with quiet strength, she raised a remarkable young man. The love that Tomasita had for her family, friends, and even strangers, came unyieldingly and without condition. While she has departed from this Earth, she’s left a mark on countless lives, and her legacy will forever remain.

A visitation for Tomasita will be held on Wednesday June 25, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Craciun Berry Funeral Home, 7200 Detroit Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44102. A funeral service will take place on Thurs June 26, 2025 at 10 AM at La Sagrada Familia Parish, 7719 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102. Interment to follow at Lakeview Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106.