Johanna Rivera

RIVERA, Johanna Treasured wife, sister, aunt and friend died peacefully at home in Seal Beach Saturday, Oct. 25, after a courageous battle with cancer. She leaves behind her beloved husband, Ralph, sister Katharina, many close friends and loving family members. Born Sept. 24, 1946, in Linz, Austria, she came to the U.S. at age three, growing up in Cleveland, OH. She had a wide range of interests and talents that she perfected - from Geo-catching around the world to editing newsletters for her organizations to making stained glass windows for her home and friends. She was most proud of her complete design of a new home, working for nine months before having an architect do some "fine-tuning" of her plans. She enjoyed hiking, travel and board games. Her love of sewing enabled her to make many traditional costumes for her students of folkloric dancing. She was both a teacher and administrator for 35 years, successfully co-writing a multimillion dollar grant for her school. She will be much missed. She will be remembered for her creative, inquisitive and energetic nature. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to UNICEF or Doctors Without Borders. A celebration of life will be held at 151 Marina Dr., Seal Beach on Dec. 13 from 4-7 p.m.