JOSEFINA RIVERA, age 86, of Lake Station, and formerly of Gary, passed away Monday, September 3, 2018 at home while surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Barrio Mariana II, Humacao, Puerto Rico on November 27, 1931 to the late Liborio Maldonado and Juana Fontanez.  Josefina was a faithful parishioner of St. Francis Xavier and also belonged to the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. NACOPRW.  She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister and friend.  Josefina enjoyed gardening, cooking and dancing to traditional Puerto Rican music. Her life was dedicated to her family.

Josefina is survived by her 2 daughters,  Dinorah (Samuel) Gonzalez, Tampa, FL and Lillian (Luis) Torres, Lake Station; son, Antonio (Millie) Rivera, Lake Station;8 grandchildren, Marisol, Iris, Valentine, Amadelys, Jason, Delilah, Samuel Jr.,  Roberto; and 2 step-grandchildren, Brian and Tabitha, and their family; 10 great grandchildren, Eric, Bryan, Cortney, Fernando, Luis, Felix, Marciano, Devin, Jarielys and Liliana; 2 great- great grandchildren, Quinn and Ellie; 1 brother and 3 sisters of Humacao, Puerto Rico.

She was also preceded in death by her former husband, Roberto Rivera; granddaughter, Lisette Rivera; great granddaughter, Alicia L. Rodriguez; 8 sisters and 4 brothers of Humacao, Puerto Rico.

Visitation will be Friday, September 7, 2018 from 2 – 8 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Brady Chapel, www.reesfuneralhomes.com

Funeral services for Josefina will be Saturday, September 8, 2018 beginning with Prayers at 9:30 a.m. Rees Funeral Home, Brady Chapel, 3781 Central Ave., Lake Station, then going in procession for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier with Rev. Roque Meraz officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.