Obituary of Rosita Rivera

Rosita “Rose” Rivera, 57, of Murfreesboro, TN, died peacefully at home on June 19, 2016. She was surrounded by family and close friends. She bravely fought a one year and three month long battle with lung cancer. Born in the Philippines, she was the youngest daughter of six children. She graduated from Elpidio Quirico High School in 1976, and attended college at Far Eastern University. Shortly after, Rose moved to Oakland, CA to be with family who had moved there before her. In 1989, she and her children moved to Chattanooga, TN. She then spent the past 10 years in Murfreesboro, TN. Because of her perpetually youthful, joy-filled attitude and confidence, many fondly called her “Dalaga", the Tagalog word used to describe “a vibrant young woman, coming of age.” Always so generous in her caring, Rose worked as a caretaker for many years before joining Vanderbilt University for the past five years assisting students. Rose was survived by her son, Jay; her daughter, Janice; and her siblings, Rodolfo and his wife Lourdes, Maximino and his wife Sally; and Joey and his wife Alice. Rose’s ashes will be buried in the Philippines to join her late mother and father Simeona and Alberto, and her late sister Sol, and her late brother Boy. There will be no formal funeral services. Always the life of the party, Rose’s wish was to honor her memory and her life through celebration. A memorial will be held July 2nd at 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm at 1300 Rual Hill Rd., Nashville, TN, 37013. There will be no visitation at Murfreesboro Funeral Home. “We meet but briefly in life, if we touch each other with stardust – that is everything.” - Anonymous