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JOSEPHINE RIVERA

Josephine Rivera passed away peacefully at 8:05 AM on Monday 23 August 2021 at her home at Ashby Ponds in Ashburn VA.  She was surrounded by her family at the end.  She personified unconditional love and will be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother, loyal sister, steadfast aunt and forever friend to everyone she touched.  She lived her entire life led by her emotions and her devotion to God.   She was a colossal spirit in a tiny body, and she loved everyone who was important to her passionately.

She was born Josephine Cruz in New York, NY on June 12, 1932 to Carlos Cruz and Eloina Velez, the second of five children.  She grew up as one of "Charlie's girls" in Spanish Harlem, and met Louis Rivera at the age of 16 at a clothing factory in Manhattan. Louis, an Airborne soldier, was smitten immediately and launched a seven year courtship campaign to win her heart.  His persistence paid off and they were married on August 28, 1955 when she was 23.  For sixty-one years, they shared a unique and fiery marriage, until our beloved father departed this life on January 15, 2017.  Their life together centered on their children.

Mom proudly called herself a homemaker, and she devoted her life to raising her family, despite challenges and some tragedy.  While difficult to leave her parents and siblings, she followed our Dad to North Carolina and subsequent relocations away from New York.  Dad's professional travels took him to Winston Salem, Charlotte NC and to the DC metro area.  She spent over 30 years supporting our Dad, including over 27 years serving our nation with the CIA, with our Mom at his side. Dad's career occasionally moved the family but Mom steered his ship to stay within a day's drive of her family in New York.  Mom also loved her friends and bonded deeply with many ladies and their families, making lifelong friends at every place they lived throughout their marriage.  We remain grateful for the support we have seen for her through all the years from the families she touched and who touched us along the way.  Since his final retirement in 2000, they did some travelling, mainly to visit the friends they had made on their journey, but health issues curtailed their traveling dreams.

A proud mother even a Cub Scout Den Mother, Mom provided strong inspiration to her sons.  Both of us made Eagle Scout, and her influence was a factor.  She saw her sons serve the nation in the Navy and in civilian lives as systems engineers.  Our parents love for each other, while tested, never broke and their love for us was unwavering. We owe them much of what we have accomplished to them both.

Our mother considered her sons and grandkids her lasting legacy and we were her source of joy and strength. She is survived by her sons (and their wives): Robert (Diane), and Richard (Debbie); her grandsons Christopher (Norina) and Patrick (Sabrina) Rivera; her granddaughters Christina and Rebecca Rivera; a step granddaughter Sara Van Dusen and two step great grandchildren Miles and Addison Van Dusen.  She joins her husband Louis (d 2017) and their daughter Lisa Jean Rivera (d 1965) in eternal rest.

The family will receive guests at the Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg VA on Wednesday September 8, 2021 from 6-8pm and at a brief graveside prayer service on Thursday September 9, 2021 at 11AM the Quantico National Cemetery. After intermit in Quantico family will receive friends and family at Richard and Debbie Rivera's home in Chantilly, VA. at 1:15pm