Delia Colon

Delia Rivera was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico in 1923. Her parents, Juan Rivera, (1884-1961) and Adriana Diaz de Rivera, (1897-1992) were born toward the end of the 19th Century. The world was so different then! The family moved to Cataño, Puerto Rico when Delia was a small child with her sister, Olga, (1921-2000), brothers Ernesto, (1932- 2018) and Jorge, (who passed as a small child) and four step siblings. She enjoyed going to school and taught herself English by reading many books in Puerto Rico. Delia was asked to come to New York by her step-sister, Ana Louisa, (1917-1996) and came on her own to the United States. By the time she arrived to New York in the early 1940's, she could read and speak English which helped her get by from the start.

She lived in Brooklyn around the Castle Hill / Court Street area with her stepsister and family. She spent World War II here and worked in various textile factories in Manhattan. Several of her friends from Puerto Rico also came to New York. They would spend time going shopping and on the weekends, dancing at music clubs in the city. After the war, she went back to Puerto Rico since her family missed her. Delia then returned to NYC with her sister, Olga in 1950. They lived in the Bronx for a while and worked in the city. Mother met my Father, Hector Colón, (1927-2004) during 1951 in the neighborhood and they were married in 1952.

A year later they had my brother, Hector Jr. Around the age of 2, Hector Jr. was diagnosed with mental retardation. This was a hard experience at the time. Science and social therapy services was not as advanced as it is now. They were the best parents and did everything to support him. He was placed in an institute at the age of 6 which was best equipped to care for him. The family always has been active being involved with his wellbeing till this day and visited him every week. A while later, I came to the world.

We moved to Queens in the 1960's and have lived in Fresh Meadows ever since. Delia was a Home Maker/ Stay at home Mom. One of her main priorities was to always take care of all of us. She and Hector Sr. were married for 50 years. Once Hector Sr. passed in 2004, It was just her and me. I learned to drive and off we went to see the world!

Delia was a creative person and loved arts and crafts. As a small girl in Puerto Rico, she along with friends would do cut outs from magazines of celebrity's and fashion. They would create albums and pretend to be these people. She loved to sew and as an adult taught herself to create outfits, blouses, pants and other items. Very colorful and stylish!

Delia was knowledgeable about an array of subjects. Her immense reading ability and interest made her wise and knowing of many things. She was excellent to converse with and friends and acquaintances always enjoyed speaking with her. She was a person who, like her horoscope sign of LIBRA, was fair, weighed all sides of things and took time with decisions. She was stubborn at times and strong willed in her way.

Delia was always gracious and kind with everyone. She was very sensitive, had strong empathy and was always aware and considerate of others feelings. Friends and people found her to be a sweet person.

She was able to travel abroad in her 80's all the way to 2019. We visited many states including Hawaii and traveled throughout Europe. We went to South America and visited Buenos Aires, Argentina when she was 95! The people there found it amazing! Our tour guide in Buenos Aires embraced her at the end of the tour and congratulated her for coming to Argentina at her age!

The last several years were a bit challenging. Her health took a turn. At 97 she was diagnosed with late on stage dementia. At 100, it was discovered she had metastatic breast cancer. Despite this, she was still able to get about and was not in pain or distress. Her bottom dentures which she got at age 99 were a problem at times, but she made the best of it! You got to put that Polident on twice a day, but she was able to eat most things! She was fortunate that her health did not affect her ability to mostly take care of herself. Mother moved about with a walker, could read without glasses till the end, dressed and bathed herself always, sometimes could even make her bed. She would still stay up till 11:00 pm, 12:00 midnight or later at times.

In August, she spent the last 3 weeks in the hospital when she was unable to swallow food and liquids properly. She was diagnosed with esophageal dysphasia; Things were not going down well. At her age they did not want to do an endoscopy fearing it would cause harm instead of good. Her respiratory system was affected and due to her health problems and aging, despite her strong constitution, God finally called her home.

She will be greatly missed by everyone. She leaves behind her daughter, Deeangelys Colon, nieces Rebecca and Waleska Zeppenfeldt, niece, Providencia Rivera and nephew, Ernesto Rivera Jr. as well several grand nieces and nephews.

I look forward to being reunited with her when my time comes once again.

A memorial visitation will take place at Frederick Funaeral Home 192-15 Northern Blvd Flushing, NY 11358 on Friday September 25, 2026 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

A committal service will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park.