Tomasita Rivera

Tomasita Rivera (nee: Tomasa Cruz Gonzalez), beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away from Cancer and Alzheimer's Disease on Tuesday March 26th, 2024 in Toms River, New Jersey comfortably in peace and surrounded by the love of her family.

Masin, or Bati as she was known to her 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico on October 17th 1929. Her parents were Basilisa Gonzalez and Rosendo Cruz and she was the 4th child of their 8 children. Growing up she was close to all her siblings and cared for them deeply. In her late 20’s she moved to New York City where she met her husband, Ramon Rivera. Together they settled in Newark, New Jersey and had 7 children, Hilda, Ramon,Jr., Ricardo, Marcos, Armando, Diana and Anibal. She was a devoted wife and mother, putting the care of her children above all. Tomasita was widowed in December of 1978 and proceeded to raise her 7 children on her own. She did this with grace and strength that inspired all she came in contact with. She went on to become a superintendent of an apartment building in Bloomfield, New Jersey with her son Armando. While there, she thrived in her independence and took great pride in her work. In the year 2000, she went on to retire and moved in with her eldest daughter Hilda and her family in West Orange, New Jersey. There, she continued to be a devoted grandmother and her journey took her to living in Ocala, Florida and then finally to Toms River, New Jersey.

Tomasita found great joy in being with her family, especially taking care of her grandchildren. She relished her Puerto Rican heritage and continued her cherished traditions with her family. She shared with them her love of sewing, fed their bodies and souls with her incredible cooking, and would easily dance anyone under the table. Dancing Salsa was her passion and how she coped with all that came her way. Tomasita was so full of love and music and laughter. Her smile never failed to light up the room and was truly always the life of the party. Or rather, made her life the party that everyone was privileged to attend. She never met a stranger and embraced everyone with genuine warmth. Her sense of humor was infectious and her wit was sharp as a tack. She was competitive especially when playing dominoes and cards. It didn’t matter if you were a kid just learning the game or an experienced player, she would beat you just the same.

She was a devout Catholic and her spirituality gave her solace. Her faith sustained her throughout her life. Bati’s courageous, strong, and joyful spirit will always be with her loved ones.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ramon Rivera (1925-1978) and her son Marcos Rivera (1961-2003).

She is survived by her adoring children (Hilda Rivera-Pravetz, Ramon Rivera, Jr., Ricardo Rivera, Armando Rivera, Diana Torsiello and Anibal Rivera), grandchildren (Lieanne Jimenez, Natalie Rivera, Christie Lynn Costanza, Diego Rivera, Ethan Pravetz, Gabriel Rivera, Emilio Rivera, Alyssa Pravetz-Balazs, Isaiah Rivera, Elise Plaza, Sofia Rivera, Bruno Pascale and Jared Pascale), and great-grandchildren (Caleb Jimenez, Nathaniel Jiminez, Isaac Jimenez, Eden Jimenez, Jeremiah Jimenez, Gabriel Rivera, Mason Rivera-Fredricks, Greyson Colleti, Emma Colleti, Leo Pascale, Oliver Pascale, and Luca Pascale), her sister Jenny Cruz, sons-in-law: Matthew Pravetz, Peter Torsiello, daughters-in-law; Evelyn Rivera and Magdalena Ponce de Leon and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Viewing/Visitation on Monday, April 1, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Levandoski-Grillo Funeral Home, 44 Bay Ave, Bloomfield, NJ. Valet Parking assistance will be available.

Funeral Mass on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Raphael Church, 346 E Mt. Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ. Burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery, 28 Hoover Ave, Bloomfield, NJ.

Repass to then take place after Burial at Brix Restaurant & Pizza Bar 371 S Franklin Ave Belleville, NJ.