Diana Maritza Rivera
April 27, 1971 - September 21, 2018

"When you find out your childhood best friend passed away. Diana Rivera and Diana Valentin. Best friends since first grade. Thick as thieves. The bane of our teachers?s existence all through grade school. They damn near needed a vice to separate us. We?d spend all day together in school then we?d go home and call each other to talk about everything we did that day. We loved Menudo together. She came to my karate classes with me. Her mom made my Frosty the Snowman costume out of cotton balls in the first grade. We shared our neon clothes when it was the rage. She introduced me to heavy metal and grunge. With her brother Nelson, we?d spend weeks in my sister?s and my first apartment together, eating Hooper?s Choice ribs while we watched Animaniacs. Meeting up with her at the Sam Goody she managed on Fifth Avenue near Union Square after work in the early 90?s so we could go watch ?Interview with a Vampire? for the tenth time at the $2 movie theater on 50th Street because Brad Pitt was so pretty. Gifting her her first tattoo - the Queensryche logo on her ankle. Standing in line at the Three Lives & Company bookstore in the West Village to meet Anne Rice and have her sign our copies of ?Servant of the Bones?. Dining at Fuddruckers. Shopping trips to Rockbottom. Hanging out at the Pizza Hut in Scarsdale just cuz. Cramming a summer?s worth of unhealthy tanning into 2 days at Orchard Beach. Lollapalooza. Christmas Eve dinners and midnight mass with her dad and his friends. Babysitting her little brother and sister. A road trip to Watkins Glen near the Finger Lakes. My sister didn?t care for amusement park rides so whenever we went to one, she was there with me. Illegal barbecues in Pelham Bay Park. I can go on and on and on and on. We hadn?t spoken for nearly 20 years but if I saw her right this second, we?d just pick up where we left off. No doubt. We were sisters. I am heartbroken. I post this on Facebook when I first heard but I now add this because it?s been haunting me. Diana never gave birth but she was a mother. Forced to be an adult when she was just a kid. She raised her brothers and sister. She sacrificed so much often thinking of herself last. Her passing will never make sense. Ever."

"It is very difficult to pass by Diana?s desk and not see her there. She was a great coworker and was always willing to help those in need. Diana will be missed and our thoughts are with her family."

"Diana will be missed from by all of us. She was a 'go to' colleague for professional timely advice, guidelines and interventions on any matters of critical importance relevant to regulatory affairs. It is extremely difficult to find any one to replace Diana and fit-in her shoes. In her premature demise, we sustain irreparable loss of a colleague. She was an effective and efficient professional helper, friend and a colleague and a social event organizer and coordinator. My prayers and sincere condolences go to Diana's family and friends to bear this loss. May her soul rest in peace. Gopal Rajakumar "

"Diana was a great coworker I had at Sylvester. She was always very kind in providing help, she also brought so much joy and laugh to everyone. I felt shocked and hurt to hear this and I want to send the deepest condolences to her family. You?ll be missed Diana, may you rest in peace."

"Diana was such a great and sweet person. She was always so helpful and she always had a smile for everybody. My condolences to the family. Diana will be missed. Javier Andrade."

"I feel truly blessed to have known Diana. She was funny and fierce, loyal and loving. Thank you, Nena, for sharing your life and that infectious smile. I will miss you. Que Dios Te Bendiga. My condolences to Diana?s family. She always spoke of you with so much love. Kimberly Adams"

"Diana, will be always be remember as a sweet and caring person. Was a pleasure meeting you Diana. My condolences to your family. Thank for always be there for me. I will miss you . God bless you. Doris Martin "

"I meet Dina 3 years ago, when I came to University of Miami, she was so helpful to me, loving, caring, always smiling, we will miss her. Heaven is so lucky to have her. Love Nuria"

"I didn't know Diana that long, but she sat right outside my office and we would say hi to each other each morning and we'd talk about our weekends. She was always smiling and always made time to help out anyone who needed it. She was a mentor to many of the junior staff at Sylvester's Clinical Research Offices. We are all shocked by her passing and words cannot express the sadness we all feel for her family and friends. I will miss our chats and hearing about her travels and adventures. God bless and rest in peace."

"Diana I will always remember you smiling and laughing! There was never a dull moment between the two of us. I will miss being able to talk to you about our shows and our future travel plans. You were truly loved and will remain loved. My heart hurts but I know that you are resting peacefully and bringing so much joy in heaven. God bless you always! My condolences to your family. I love you! Xoxo -Shanna"

"I am so shocked to hear of Diana's passing. Diana was always a pleasant and happy person to work with. I will miss and remember her. My deepest sympathies to her family."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Diana was always thoughtful, funny, and kind. May she rest In peace. "

"Nelson,sara, so sorry to hear this. Prayer are here for you. And if you need anything.please call"

"Condolences to Diana?s family i will remember her. I?ve known Diana since 1985 lovely person she will be missed."

"Diana was great friend, co-worker, teacher to me at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. She was a great soul who enriched many lives. I will miss her a lot. My prayers and condolences go out to her family and friends and all who mourn her. Rest in peace, my friend."

"Diana was a kind and caring soul. She will truly be missed by all whose lives she touched. My deepest condolences to her family and dear friends, of whom there where many."

""Tia Tia Ana" was one of the most gentle, caring people I've ever met. So much so, that the first time I saw her in the mosh pit, throwing elbows, it caught me off guard! I will never forget that beautiful smile and genuine laugh that always put others at ease. You may be gone in the physical sense but you will live in our hearts forever. Love and miss you so much! "

"Diana always had a smile on her face at Sam's Club, even though she was dealing with "difficult" members and probably more difficult co-workers. You are missed."

"Diana was an amazing friend. I will miss you so much. Thank you for all the talks/moments we shared. Love you girl! My condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time. "

"Diana had a laugh and smile that would light up a room. I will miss our chats! I loved seeing her dance with her siblings at Jocelyn?s wedding and they were all so happy. I will miss you awesome lady and will try to help fill the void they Ryker will feel in your absence. ???"

"Diana you will be missed very much! I loved that you became a part of our family and you made a point to be at all important events and then some! You could see your eyes light up when Nelson and Ryker were around, they adored you! Keep an eye out on everyone and Rock On with your big loving heart!"

"Diana was like family to me. She was always there for me in good and bad times. She listened when I needed someone to talk to and never judged. We were going to get tatts together ?sisters by choice?, we felt that way about each other. She will forever be missed. Amazing friend, sister and Aunt. Love you Diana ?? Gone way too soon."

"Daryl and I met Diana at Sylvester when she came there with Brenda. Diana was an incredibly dedicated employee and just a wonderful person. Her sense of humor was the best. I will keep fond memories of sitting in the 'park' with her talking about life. The cool kids lost a founding member of the group with her passing. Diana will be missed dearly by all of us. The world lost a kind person with a wicked sense of humor. Our thoughts are with her family and closest friends during this time of sadness. "

"I met Diana when I was 9 years old. She was in kindergarten with my little sister, Diana Valentin. They quickly became best friends. They were so close that my parents invited her to lots of family outings. She was my sister's roller coaster buddy. As young adults, they went to many concerts and outings. Her brother, Nelson, and me hung out with them many times just being silly. When my sister and I moved from my parents house to our own apartment, they spent a lot of time with us. We could just hang out and eat take out and enjoy laughing at the Animaniacs. Christmas at her dad's was always awesome. She was in every important event with my family. She was at the birth of my first child. Diana was our other sister. She left New York after my daughter, Danielle, was born. My last memory of her was us laughing when my daughter spit up on her. We laughed that Danielle did it because she didn't want her to leave. Unfortunately, distance separated us and we lost contact. I'm sorry we didn't keep in contact. She was a huge part of our lives and we will never forget her. She left us too soon. I am consoled at the thought that she's with her dad and my parents are right there too. We love you, Diana. RIP. My prayers are with the Rivera/Lozano family. Nelson, Sergio, Rosie...we took care of you many times and you also hold a special place in our hearts. God bless you all."