Mrs. Rosa Maria Rivera

Come. Join us and let us introduce you to Our Mom! In the middle of the hot month of August Rosa Maria (Rosin) Robles was born to Francisco & Inez in Ciales, Puerto Rico. She was their first born and thus begins the story of this amazing woman we call mami, hija (daughter), esposa (wife), hermana (sister), abuelita (grandma), tia (aunt), prima (cousin), sobrina (niece), and many other titles. She was one of 15 brothers and sisters. She was smart, funny, glamorous, religious, and just plain full of life. She fell in love with Vicente, who married and brought her to the United States. In Chicago she became known as one of the first welcoming homes folks would come to when they first arrived from Puerto Rico. She would welcome strangers just as warmly as she did friends. She had a smile and a bottomless pot of food. One of her favorite sayings was, "Where one eats, 20 can also eat." And so we grew up watching our mom welcoming and sharing from her heart. Moms' leadership skills brought her front and center into the community. She was active with her parish St. Marks Church. She organized the first Hispanic Senior Citizens Group. She was passionate about the work of the Lions Club and meeting the needs of the community through her employment with the city. She loved the animated exchange of politics and was no stranger to hosting political coffees at our home. No issue was too small or too big for mom. She instinctively knew solutions were possible and she worked tirelessly to help make them real. She was respected by both city and state officials who often worked alongside her. Before Women's Rights became a buzz word mom lived it and worked to empower women, especially the Hispanic Woman. I am sure dad did not expect this dynamic a woman, wife and mother for his children when he fell in love and married her. Her expectations of herself and her daughters were realistic and challenging. She saw the best in people even when they did not see it in themselves. She would push you to go the extra mile when you felt there was nothing left to give; and then you succeeded and she would smile and celebrate with you. Lets be clear, her English was broken but her conviction was unmatched. She was a strong advocate. As such she could argue wildly and still consider you her friend enough to celebrate with you. Her emotions were never small. Her emotions were robust yet elegant as only she could express them. Her private life was equally as bold and bright and colorful. She was elegant although many would call her fat. She would say being fat is no excuse to look bad or slouch. She always walked talk. She could carry off a flour sack dress with the poise and grace of a princess. Her hair was always done and constantly changing colors. Todays kids would not be able to keep up with all her hair color changes, but she always carried off the looks like a model. She loved her husband with abandonment. Even in the throws of Alzheimer she still recognized him and called him by Vicente or negrito ( her term of endearment for him). Her daughters were her greatest source of pride. She shared their every accomplishment as if it were her own with anyone who would listen. When her daughters began to marry and have children mom flourished as their abuelita. Her passion for life, love and laughter reached a whole new level. She playfully shared her soul with each grandchild and filled them with her magic. Each today carries the fingerprints of their abuela on their hearts. Soon the great grandchildren started to arrive and again mom flourished. There was Vicente, then Adrianna, a few years later came Zavier and then Zion. When she first met Zavier mom was already in the throws of Alzheimer, but she looked at him and clearly said, "Es mas lindo que su papa" - "He is more handsome than his dad." Imagine the laughter and tears of joy to know that she for one lucid moment our mom recognized who she was meeting for the first time and all who were present. Yes, that moment and her comment is etched on our hearts. Our mom was the first out the door at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve with a metal pot and spoon dancing and shouting Happy New Year to the sounds of the spoon on the bottom of the pot. She would hold contests for the most outrages hats and would model them with a unique elegance that would cause cheers and applause. She would cook as if an army was coming over for dinner and all who showed up never left hungry. She would hug you so tight she would take your breathe away and then whisper "I Love You" "Te amo" and you would melt into her arms and never want to leave. She would call at the crack of dawn on your birthday and sing "Las Manyanitas" and in your sleepy state you would smile and say, " bendicion mami" or "Gracias Abuelita". She would make overly decorated house slippers and you wore them because you knew they were made with an incredible amount of love and they were one of a kind. Yes, all of these and many more memories were lost to Alzheimer but today she broke free from this earth only to prepare to celebrate when we join her in her heavenly home. You see our mom was not a saint she was a woman full of life, love and laughter who never met a stranger and loved us all deep. Thank you for walking with us and meeting our mom. Services will be held at Funeraria Sinai Expreso, located in Ciales Puerto Rico: Carr. 149 Km 11 Expreso Manati. Telephone number 787-871-5555.

Mrs. Rosa Maria Rivera

August 14, 1926 - May 24, 2013