Nilda E Rivera

Nilda E. Rivera, 63, of Perth Amboy, passed away on August 26, 2021, at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, New Brunswick.

She was born in Manhattan, Nilda Rivera was a lifelong servant. Being the oldest of seven children, Nilda spent her life always giving to others. She faced adversity when her family moved to Puerto Rico following the death of her father when she was just ten years old. Not knowing Spanish and “looking different”, Nilda changed the thinking of what a Puerto Rican looked like in her school. She paved a way of success for her younger siblings who got to experience all the things Nilda wished she could’ve.

She graduated from an intense nursing program in Puerto Rico. Following that, she dedicated her professional career to helping the sick and vulnerable as a nurse and eventually retired as a Nursing Director. Nilda worked in many hospitals and nursing homes, including but not limited to: Alameda Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Perth Amboy, the Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park and St. Joseph’s Senior Home in Woodbridge.

Nilda was a fierce community leader. She helped her daughter fight for a better education in Perth Amboy. Together they launched the non-profit organization and charity, United Messengers of Peace, alongside her late husband. Nilda gave countless hours helping tutoring children, lending a hand to help the homeless and joining in on any volunteer opportunity in town that came across her lap. She always gave whatever she had to make sure someone in need had what she could give from food to school supplies to clothes and everything in between.

Nilda loved her husband, daughters and grandchildren. She touched the hearts and lives of many. May her love live on and may she continue to inspire others to give back.

She was predeceased by her husband Raul Torres and her parents, Antonio Rivera and Lucia Marquez.

Nilda is survived by 3 children; Francerly Padilla of Florida, Cristina Lorraine Seda Rivera of Puerto Rico and Stephanie C. Marquez-Villafane of Perth Amboy.

Visitation and funeral services will be at Ana Maria Zevallos/Skrocki, Home for Funerals, 467 State Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, on Thursday, September 2, 2021, from 6-8 pm.

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