Carolyn Maria Rivera

Carolyn, age 60, our beloved daughter, sister and aunt, went to heaven on May 27, 2026 after a lifetime of loving deeply, laughing loudly, and living a full life that will give us many joyful memories to come. She was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 13, 1965 to Fred and Helen Rivera. From the day she was born she was her father’s best birthday gift. Carolyn was known for her magnanimous laugh, beautiful smile, loving heart and a caring, pure soul. Carolyn embraced life with enthusiasm and eagerness. A graduate of Tucumcari High School, she also was a Special Olympics gold medalist in swimming and bowling. She loved going out in the community and meeting people. She loved going to the movies, sporting events, restaurants, shopping, holding babies and puppies and going to Mass. Carolyn was a disciple of kindness, she did not have a malicious bone in her body. She never met a stranger, never turned down a good laugh.

She was preceded in death by her father Fred J. Rivera, Sr. Carolyn will be lovingly remembered forever. She is survived by her mother Helen Rivera who took loving care of Carolyn her entire life. Her siblings Deborah Rivera and Tom Marinsek, Yvonne Rivera Taylor and husband Mike, Lynn Rivera Burlingame and husband Mark, Fred J. Rivera Jr., and Therese TC Pacheco. She is survived by her nieces and nephews Anthony Duran and wife Jessica, daughter Aurora, Andrea Rodriguez and husband Nick, children Angel and wife Jaida, Damian and Alana; Matthew Durkin and wife Cassandra and son Dominick, Chris Durkin and wife Nicole and son Parker, Jeremy Durkin and wife Heather, children Alexis Durkin Edwards and husband Austin, son Jethro, Dustin and Mitchell; Elyse Jojola and husband Christian, daughters Jade and Olivia, Andrew Burlingame and wife Shantel and daughter Scarlett Yardman; Isabella Pacheco and Dion Fediuk, Raphael Pacheco and wife Hannah. Her caregiver Stephanie Romero who Carolyn lovingly called Shorty.

Celebration of Life will be Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1502 Sara Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The interment will be Friday, June 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, New Mexico.