Laura E. Rivera Obituary
Laura Esther Rivera, lovingly known to so many as "Titi Lala," and remembered as a woman with the biggest heart imaginable, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2026, at the age of 69.
Born Laura Esther Feliciano on July 29, 1956, in the Bronx, New York, Laura later made her home in Queens Village, New York, where she built a life rooted in faith, love, family, and service to others.
Laura was the devoted and loving wife of Henry Rivera, her soulmate and best friend since the age of 15. Together, they shared an extraordinary love story spanning over five decades and were married for 47 beautiful years. Through every joy, hardship, and season of life, they remained inseparable — always standing beside one another with unconditional love, loyalty, faith, and devotion. Their marriage was a beautiful example of what it truly means to love someone through sickness and in health.
She was a deeply loving mother to Emily Ramirez, David Rivera, and Daniel Rivera, and a proud and adoring grandmother to Kayla Rivera and Isabella Iyamah, who brought immeasurable joy into her life.
Laura is survived by her beloved husband, children, grandchildren, siblings Evelyn Carrillo, and Alex Feliciano, along with many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends, church family, and loved ones whose lives were touched by her kindness and generosity.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Gloria Feliciano, and by her beloved sister, Doris Ares.
A woman of deep Christian faith, Laura was raised in the church and carried her spirituality with grace throughout her entire life. She loved attending church, singing worship songs, and living her life with compassion, humility, warmth, and love for others. She had a rare gift for making people feel welcomed, comforted, and cared for.
Laura dedicated her life to helping others as a psychiatric registered nurse beginning in 1978 at Metropolitan Hospital, where she faithfully cared for patients and families for decades. Nursing was not simply a profession to her — it was an extension of her nurturing spirit and servant's heart.
Above all else, Laura cherished her family. She created a home filled with love, traditions, laughter, warmth, and unforgettable memories. Christmas was especially magical in her home — filled with treasured ornaments, thoughtful gifts, music, and togetherness that her children and grandchildren will forever carry in their hearts.
She found joy in attending church, singing, arts and crafts, knitting, collecting Precious Moments figurines and crystals, and wearing her beautiful broaches proudly to church each Sunday.
Laura's life was a reflection of selfless love, faith, strength, and compassion. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising and loving her family, always putting others before herself and making sure those around her felt supported, guided, and deeply loved.
Although our hearts are broken by this unimaginable loss, we find peace in knowing Laura is now in heaven, reunited with the Lord she loved so dearly, and no longer suffering.
We will forever miss her gentleness, her laughter, her warmth, her guidance, and the unconditional love she gave so freely to everyone around her.
She will be profoundly missed, forever cherished, and lovingly remembered always.
