Nilsa Eva Rivera

Nilsa E. Rivera, age 76, of Camden, NJ passed away on January 26, 2024.
Nilsa was born in Yauco, Puerto Rico to the late Felipe and Maria Santiago. In her free time she enjoyed spending time with her husband, family and friends. She was such a hard-worker. She had numerous jobs but one of her favorites was working at the Elementary School where she was loved by all the students. Although she was taken from us so suddenly she will forever leave a mark in everyones heart who knew her. She might be tiny in peoples eyes but she was definitely mighty. Her presence was always known. Her personality greater than most. Her smile made everyone smile and lit up the room. Her love made you feel at home and safe. She always gave her all and never gave up on anything or anyone. She was a fighter and had the heart to prove it. She was one of the bravest, smartest, prettiest and big hearted women you would of and wanted to know. She was known as Nilsa to all, Jefa (Boss) to many, My love (mi Corazon) to her husband, Mommy to her boys and Nema to her granddaughters.
Nilsa is survived by her beloved husband of over 50 years, Francisco A. Rivera; their children, Joel and Francisco Rivera; and grandchildren, Addison, Lamaya, and Zariah Rivera. Her oldest son Joel and fiancé Shantel as well as her youngest son Francisco and wife Trisha will have to bear the reality that their home will now be missing a piece of their happiness now that their mother has passed on. Her granddaughters, also known as her Nenas, couldn't express the hurt and sadness that they felt losing future vital time, occasions, experiences and memories with the women that played such an important part to help raise them into the young women they are now. As we are sure everyone loved Nilsa tremendously, the love she felt for her Nenas and the love they feel for her is so much more then we could explain. Her Family was her life. She loved with every fiber of her being and gave without a second thought. She always put everyone in front of herself. The people that were lucky enough to know her know what a funny, sassy, stubborn, caring, loving and beautiful person she was. She is the oldest of six. Her two brothers, Edwin and Freddy Santiago and her three sisters, Miriam A. Galarza, Delia E. and Lilliam I. Santiago all will truly miss this firecracker. Even though they were bonded by blood, their bond, their friendship, their love was so much thicker than that and was such a beautiful thing.
This is a truly painful, tragic and incomprehensible loss to the family, friends and community. As we will never be able to get over losing such a vital piece of our hearts, she would want us to come together and celebrate all the beautiful memories and cherish all the time we had together.
Friends and relatives are welcome to Nilsa's viewing on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 11:00AM-1:00PM, and her funeral service immediately following at 1:00PM. Both will be held at Mount Laurel Home for Funerals, 212, Ark Rd, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. Interment will follow services at Park View Cemetery, 25 Fostertown Road, Medford, NJ 08055.