Maria Antonia Rivera Morales

On February 14, 2021, Maria Antonia Rivera received her wings and left this earth in peace. On May 4, 1947, God broke the mold, and Maria Antonia Morales was born. Maria was born on the sweet island of Auga Buenas, Puerto Rico; daughter of the late Monserrate Gomez and Juan Morales. Growing up as a middle child of 11 siblings, Maria was up for the challenge and blossomed into a beautiful woman inside and out. Love would find its way into Maria’s heart when a handsome man named Justino Rivera asked her to be his wife. On February 8, 1965, Justino and Maria devoted their lives and love to one another and would live out the rest of their marriage with love and happiness. Their legacy is inherited by their loving children; Jose Rivera, Justino Rivera, Jr. Carmen Rivera-Soler, Maria E. Rivera-Aspuru, Maria L. Rivera, Angel Rivera, and Juan Rivera; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Maria devoted her life to her children; a day would not go by without her checking in on them, making sure they were fed, well-rested, and happy; they were her proudest achievement. Her favorite place to be was in the kitchen; so many memories could be told by those walls. Maria was the kind of woman who didn’t just worry about her children, but the children of others, she fed the neighborhood like it was her job and wanted nothing in return. She would pass on her kindness, humility, loving nature, and recipes to her children. The smell of sofrito, avena, pasteles, and rice would fill the air of her household every day, and If you asked her children it is what always brought them home. Maria was a humorous woman with a laugh that was so infectious it could change the world. Maria loved to be outdoors, the sun, and warm air were her all-time favorite but if Justino left the thermostat higher than 75 degrees in the house, it was war. Family was everything to her, so she made sure that she would plan picnics at Seaside park for all of her family to attend. Maria’s favorite comfort food was pizza and it had to be from Captain’s pizza, man, if those booths could talk. She loved their cheese pizza, especially the cheese shakers, they were her favorite. Her family is left with decades of fond and colorful memories. Maria’s life was built around the love of her children, family, and friends that were made along the way; her presence touched each and every one of their hearts. She will truly be missed. Family and friends are invited to attend Calling Hours on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Funeraria Luz de Paz, 426 E. Washington Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06608. Her interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, 855 Boston Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06610. Please explore Maria's memorial page, where you may share your memories, prayers and so much more found EXCLUSIVELY at www.luzdepaz.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please be advised that due to the current Corona Virus Pandemic the Health Department Regulations and the State of Connecticut have implemented the status of Phase 2 for the protection and safety of all the residents of Connecticut. The Following guidelines are being enforced and not ones which we can negotiate as the health and wellbeing of everyone in our home is our number 1 priority. Therefore, we request the cooperation of anyone considering coming to the viewing/visitation times do so but abiding by the following guidelines. -During viewing times the ONLY ENTRANCE into the Funeral Home will take place through the BACK ENTRANCE of the Funeral Home (FRONT ENTRANCE CLOSED AT ALL TIMES) -In accordance to the Parameters set forth in Phase 2, of COVID 19, by the State of Connecticut, a maximum number of persons are permitted inside our facility at the same time and any persons above that permitted amount will not be granted access until those friends which have entered the facility safely exit allowing that same number of guests, to enter. Again, the maximum number of persons, family , friends, acquaintances, elderly etc. cannot and will not exceed such maximum amount. Please understand, our efforts will entail announcing when a line is outside and people have not exited so that those inside can consider those outside in line. We can only encourage others that are NOT immediate family to kindly go outside, therefore permitting those patiently in line to exit enter the funeral home masks are ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED. -Entrance is granted into our facility for those who exhibit a mask which covers their MOUTH AND NOSE and such mask MUST REMAIN ON CORRECTLY during entire visit. We regret to inform all guests that regardless of relationship to deceased and/ or family member, such safety measures are not up for debate, nor negotiable by our firm and we cannot compromise the integrity of the safety measures set forth by exceeding the permitted numbers or excuse anyone for not utilizing the required face coverings. -HUGGING AND /OR KISSING any member of the immediate family and/or friends is strongly discouraged, but be advised the Funeral Home, its representatives and or staff members assisting throughout the services cannot and will not assume any responsibility for anyone becoming exposed due to them not adhering to the rules and regulations set forth while inside our facility nor in the funeral services for such deceased in their entirety. Hand Sanitizer is readily available upon entrance into the facility and exiting the facility and in other parts throughout our facility. Please remember everyone, we understand the trialing time our Country, State and City is found in. Therefore, we are requesting anyone whom is considering attending a service which will be held by our firm, in our facility to consider the following suggestions: -We are requesting ALL those in attendance to attend with a mindset of our unwavering commitment to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth of such policies and procedures, only created by our Health experts for the benefit of everyone in attendance in as a society in General. No one has any other intention and/ or reason but to protect the health and well being of us all and any interaction other than that as ladies and gentlemen and as such expect the same interactions in return. Any other method and/or interaction is not considered appropriate and will terminate any persons visit immediately. It is our exclusive purpose of protection of your health, and those in attendance at the services from possible exposure to a virus which as affected so many in a negative fashion. If we have to bring something to someone's attention regarding such procedures not being adhered, we ask kindly to keep in mind it is not our goal to humiliate anyone, but yet kindly remind everyone regarding our masks if not covering our nose and mouths to please do so. -We do not know many, relationships etc. nor is our staff aware of all relationships, nor will it be part of what our intended purpose to have to address anything inside or outside but in the same fashion we are trying to maintain a safe and comfortable atmosphere, you allow us and assist us in making sure such integrity of the safety is never compromised. We want you to go home, the same way you have arrived, healthy and well! -Nobody within our firm will ask anyone to do something to be spiteful, nor be mean or intrusive, etc. and we understand its a sensitive time, but not doing so, exposes you not only to a virus but having to possibly deal with another funeral because of not keeping such details in mind. Therefore, we are kindly requesting that any interactions between all staff and Directors with the public be considered our way of caring....WE lose nothing by not caring, we lose nothing by walking away, but not caring is not in our DNA and has always been something we have demonstrated throughout our years of service. -You have come to expect this from our firm and nothing less. If need be, and more than once a person is asked to be sure your mask is in its place then we it will have to be addressed again and although excuses as to why any lack of adherence to policies and procedures set forth for everyone's health are understandable, but adherence to the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others is not negotiable and deliberate violation of the rules set forth by the Connecticut Department of health and the Governor's executive orders, will have to be addressed accordingly. If cooperation is not provided upon request, you may be asked to depart our facility immediately and entrance will no longer be granted to prevent possible exposures. Again, this is not our mission, not our goal, yet an atmosphere which all may share inside and outside our firm about a life well lived. -If outside you want to remain without any protection we are not here to tell people anything while not inside our firm, that is your decision, so please keep in mind, it is the protocol uncomfortable or not, also not meant to be mean or condescending. Again, such actions are meant to try to correct and/or prevent a possible exposure from occurring that may cost the life of someone with a delicate health condition whether it be towards yourself or another person. Everyone has the right to their opinion and do as they wish, but just like we all must have a level of decorum when at certain places, functions and public locations, and municipal facilities and more, adherence to such policies is required wherever we go. We strive to make this a seamless process but of course, it is only with the full cooperation of everyone in attendance to follow instructions thus facilitating and making this process one of least involvement of any family member due to non compliance of such rules and regulations by any guest or distant family member. Above all, the least possible stress to a family handling one of the most challenging times ever in their lives. Finally, please remember that those allowed to enter to consider those that will remain outside awaiting entrance, so we do ask that we consider coming through, paying respects, greeting the family in a manner consistent with the same level of consideration we would appreciate from others towards us. We do not like to continue announcing the need for people to exit, but we also understand that we must do whatever we need to in order to accommodate everyone who has taken from their time, during a pandemic, to honor the life of the dearly departed! Thank you all for your consideration and cooperation!