Juanita Rivera

Juanita Rivera, age 83, of Wyoming, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. She was born September 20, 1941, in Weslaco, Texas to the late Anselma Garcia. Juanita loved to take care of her dog Sasha, cooking for the family, gardening, and crocheting. Juanita took pride in helping to take care of her many cousins. Juanita loved to help her daughter Nicole raise her children, and all three kids spent a great amount of time with their Nana and Tata. She made them better people, gave them empathy for their fellow humans and filled them with all her love. Her life on earth was hard but it never ever broke her down. Her light shines in every person she touched. Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Bernardo Rivera-Aponte; daughter, Nicole (David) Clinkscales; grandchildren, Maria (Heather) Hulson, Bryan Foster and his father Bryan Foster, and Michael Clinkscales; her siblings, Israel Reyes, Carlos Reyes, Jesse Reyes, Ricky Reyes, Dora Munoz, Elena Flores, Mary Aviles, Sylvia Sepúlvida, and Teresa (Valdo) Orduna; cousin, Maricela (Ramiro) Rivera who was more like a sister to Juanita; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Juanita was preceded in death by her mother, Anselma and her siblings, Josefina Garcia, Rosa Montes, Ismael Reyes, and Jose Reyes. A graveside service will take place Friday, June 6, 2025, at 12:00 pm (Noon) at Resurrection Cemetery, 4100 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, MI. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to Meals on Wheels Western Michigan. (click the link below to donate online) The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at University of Michigan Health West for their help and care during this difficult time. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Juanita’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory or photo, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.