Araceli Guadalupe Rivera

Araceli Guadalupe Rivera, affectionately called "Lupe", was born in 1943 in Victoria De Las Tunas, Cuba to Spanish immigrants Manuel Garcia and Marciana Fernandez Maldonado.  Araceli pursued her university studies to become a Mathematics teacher when her plans were diverted. Aided through Catholic Charities, she came to the United States in her early twenties, settling in Newark, NJ with her siblings, which is where she met and married her future husband, Luis.  They were very involved in the "Ironbound" community and were founding members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, where they remained involved for over 50 years.  Together they built a life in Newark, moving to Cranford in 1984 which they have called home for the past 39 years. Lupe worked in Healthcare Administration for over 30 decades, until she retired in 2012.

Lupe was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister to her seven siblings.  She is selfless and a beautiful soul, who dedicated her life to her family and her Catholic faith, providing unconditional love and support to countless people throughout her life.  She lived her life nobly as a servant of the Lord, always giving of herself to those in need through acts of kindness, her generosity and prayers.

Lupe is survived by her husband of 56 years, Luis E. Rivera, her children and their spouses Theresa and Paul, Louis and Jeanine, and Ann; and her grandchildren Sofia, Sabrina, Lucas and Lucia, sister Micaela Casanova, several in-laws and 110 nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Also, she leaves many loyal friends and comadres, who embraced her at every step of her life.  All of these were graced by her love, compassion and generosity of spirit.  She was loved by many and has left an everlasting imprint in this world.

Lupe is in the hands of her creator and surrounded by the love of parents and siblings and friends.

 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Lupe at the Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave. Union on Sunday from 2-5 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Newark on Monday at 10 AM. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.