Obituary of Donna Jean Rivera

On Thursday, September 10th, 2020, Donna Jean Capella Rivera, a loving wife and mother of three children, passed away in her birth town, Trenton, NJ, at the tender age of 63. Donna was born on October 6th, 1957 to Harry and Jean Mitchell. Donna obtained her GED and went on to obtain several Associate Degrees in Arts, Education, and Applied Sciences from Mercer County College. After graduating, Donna started an in-home daycare to provide a thriving environment for her granddaughter, Ciera, and was later employed by the Trenton Board of Education as a Paraprofessional for16 years, where she went to pursue her passion for working with adolescents at Cadwallader and Jefferson Elementary Schools. On December 9th, 1978, Donna met Ruben Rivera Sr. at the Trenton Train Station and was happily wed and subsequently blessed with two children, Theresa Marie Rivera Cruz and Ruben Rivera Jr., of which were joined by Marisol Rivera Cuevas, a child from a previous marriage. A passionate Jehovah's Witness in its organization, Donna was baptized on October 3rd, 1981 and remained a pious practicing member until her passing. When she was not radiating with warmth and kindness in her domestic and religious spaces, she could be found traveling and exploring to satiate her curiosity for our diverse and colorful world. We will miss her greatly. Donna was preceded in death by her daughter Theresa Marie Rivera Cruz, her parents Harry and Jean Mitchell, and her brother Brian Mitchell. She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years: Ruben Rivera Sr.; her son: Ruben River Jr.; a daughter: Marisol Rivera Cuevas; sisters: Susan Soden (Ed Soden), Kimmy Daley (Tim Daley), Michelle Beemer (Phil Beemer), brothers: Keith Mitchell (Charlotte Mitchell), Kevin Mitchell (Denise Mitchell), and grandchildren: Ciera Jasmine Cuevas, Ruben Elias Rivera, Xiomara Elena Rivera, Isabel Roxanna Cuevas, Makala Christine Rivera, Marlea Sophia Mae Jester — of whom many had loved Donna deeply. A viewing will be held on September 18th, 2020 form 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM and September 19th, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at D'Errico Funeral Chapel on 30 Yarvdville-Allentown Road, Yardville, NJ 08620. The family requests that all flowers and notes for the service are preemptively sent to D'Errico Funeral Chapel to the address listed above. Burial will be on September 19th, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Colonial Memorial Park, 3039 S Broad Street, Hamilton Township, NJ 08610. Please note: due to the Coronavirus, social distancing will be strictly enforced with masks required. A small repast, only for family members, will be held at 229 Finley Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08610