Doris Riveron

Doris Riverón Alvarez died on January 20th, 2026, in Sarasota Florida at the age of 97. She was born as the youngest of nine children to a family of farmers and ranchers in rural Viñales, Pinar del Rio, Cuba on September 12th, 1928. She lived her childhood in that idyllic, peaceful valley until, during the upheaval of the great depression, her family was forced to move to the bustling chaos of the Capital, Havana.

As a teenager she met and fell in love with the love of her life Dagoberto Riverón - an aspiring medical student. She worked as a teacher while he completed his studies and they were married in 1954, as he began his medical career. Life in Cuba was in a golden period of prosperity and opportunity when they began their young family. They had three children under the age of 6 when, in 1959 their dreams were up ended, and they suffered the shock and dislocation of the Cuban communist revolution.

Forced to leave their life behind, they arrived as penniless refugees to the United States in 1962, after the “Bay of Pigs” invasion in Cuba and before the Cuban missile crisis. In search of employment, the family settled in Chicago, braving the unknown bleak winters and a difficult adaptation to a new culture.

Doris became fluent in English and guided her children through schooling in a new world while striving to maintain their cultural heritage at home. She would insist on Spanish writing and grammar classes after public school days. She and Dagoberto demanded academic excellence and the children’s full assimilation into the American school system. Dagoberto assiduously studied and re-certified Medicine while Doris worked as a nurse’s aide in a neonatal unit.

Together they eventually opened a primary care office in Chicago’s north side where she served as the office manager. Inseparably, they made rounds and house calls together, working tireless hours for many years. She was beloved by patients and their families. “Dory” was the family’s main confidante, ever-present support and amateur therapist for a family driven to rebuild their lives in a foreign land. Together she and her “Dago” lived the fullness of the American dream. They rose from loss and destitution to embrace the opportunities afforded by this great land and raised their three children, each to a career in medicine.

“Dory’ was the indefatigable anchor of the family. She was profoundly Catholic and brought Christ’s love to all of us. She lived her life through the three pillars of Faith, Love and Family. Her life story was one of overcoming. Her mettle and tenacity met their greatest test when her beloved husband “Dago” suffered a debilitating stroke at 68. She became his primary caretaker, fighting for him like a lioness and caring for him tenderly for over ten years.

Doris was widowed for the final 18 years of her life. She pined for her lost love and often spoke of their being reunited in paradise. Although her consciousness slowly declined, she still loved to dance to Cuban salza and would always smile at you with the same timeless, soft, loving eyes. We will always remember her sweet smile.

She fell gently asleep in the arms of her beloved savior on January 20th. She is survived by three children, Ricardo, Fernando and Ileana. She had six grandchildren and six great grandchildren, all of whom had the blessing of knowing their “Nana”. She leaves behind a legacy of hard work, resilience and perseverance in overcoming the winds of change and the inescapable challenges of life. Above all, she taught us the primacy of love for family and love for the Lord who bestows His bountiful mercy on us throughout the numbered days of our lives. We commend her beautiful spirit to the arms of our loving God.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

and I will give you rest…

and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28–29

A wake will be held at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, located at 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232, on February 27, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The funeral mass will take place at Saint Martha Catholic Church, located at 200 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236, on February 28, 2026, at 10:00 am.

A celebration and lunch will be held at Robert Toale and Sons, after the church service, at 12:00 pm.