Nilsa M. Rivera

In a spirited celebration of a life well-lived, we remember Nilsa M. Rivera, born on March 9th, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois, who embarked on her final cruise on February 3rd, 2024. Nilsa was a courageous soul, known for her fierce love for her family and her indomitable spirit. She was a woman who lived life fully, enthusiastically embracing her interests and sharing them generously with those around her. Her love for Harry Potter was only surpassed by her dedication to the Minnesota Vikings. She was an aficionado of horror movies, a collector of tea pots and Hot Wheels, and a scrapbooking enthusiast. As J.K. Rowling penned in one of Nilsa's favorite series, "The ones who love us never really leave us. You can always find them in here," pointing to the heart.

In her professional life, Nilsa served with dedication and compassion as a Juvenile Probation Officer. She was a beacon of light and guidance for many young lives, always ready with a kind word or a piece of hard-won wisdom.

Nilsa was the beloved wife of Kathleen Seuffert; the devoted daughter of Tomas and the late Laura Rivera; a loving sister to Thomas (Sari) and Nelson (Jemy) Rivera and sister in law of David Stopp (Michael) and Linda Stopp; she was the cherished Tia of Kristine, Cynthia, Justin, Laura, Christian, Marilyn, Danni, Bethany, Jessy, Kevin, Katie, Bryan, Aaron and Carl; and the dearest niece, cousin and friend of many.  Nilsa's spirit of love and nurturing was exemplified, as she raised her two nieces, Krissy and Cindy, as her own daughters. Her courage and love knew no bounds and will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Nilsa loved going on cruises, exploring new places, and meeting new people. She was a spirited woman who faced life head-on, always ready for the next adventure. Nilsa's legacy will be remembered through the lives she touched, the love she spread, and the memories she created. Her life was a reminder that, as another quote from Harry Potter goes, "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."

We invite all who knew and loved Nilsa to a visitation on Thursday, February 8th, from 4:00 until time of Celebration of Life Service at 7:30 pm. at Countryside Funeral Home, 333 S. Roselle Rd., Roselle. The interment will be private. We encourage you to share your memories of Nilsa and celebrate the life she lived on her memorial page. Her light will continue to shine in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wright-Way Rescue , 5915 Lincoln Ave, Morton Grove, IL 60053, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) , 1640 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036, or the American Cancer Society , 1 E Wacker Dr, Unit 1200, Chicago, IL 60601.