Rafaela Rivera

She was born Rafaela Cortes Zavala on May 20, 1935 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Hermogenes Cortes and Lucrecia Zavala. In 1952 at the age of 17, Rafaela journeyed to the United States, settling in Waukegan Illinois. There, she attended Waukegan Township High School.

Rafaela dedicated years of service at St. Therese Hospital before joining Abbott Laboratories as a labor working for 23 years until her retirement. Throughout her life, Rafaela has called many places in Lake County home, including Waukegan’s Kenard Street and Bluff Street, North Chicago’s Victoria Street, and later, Kukla Towers.

Rafaela loved to dance, sing with her beautiful voice, and enjoyed cooking and crocheting. She was unbeatable at dominoes, loved bingo, and was always ready for some fun at the slot machines.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Migna (Tedd) Woodard, Roberto Rivera, Angel (Theresa) Rivera, Cynthia (Greg) Rockingham, Joey (Sylvia) Rivera, and Yvonne Rivera; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her extended family, all of whom will carry forward her legacy of love, resilience, and unity.

She shares a special bond with her beloved brother, Jose Antonio Figureroa, affectionately known as Uncle Tony.

Rafaela was preceded in death by her parents, Hermogenes Cortes and Lucrecia Zavala, and two sisters, Julia Morales and Lydia Zavala.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 31st from 10:00 AM until time of funeral service at 11:00 AM at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N Cemetery Road in Gurnee. Interment to follow at Ascension Catholic Cemetery, 1920 Buckley Road in Libertyville.