Juana Basarte Rivera

Juana Basarte Rivera, 69, of Pawtucket, R.I. passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

Born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, she was the beloved daughter of the late Heraclio Rivera and Matilda Ortiz Rivera.

Juana moved to Massachusetts in the late 70’s after the birth of her beloved son’s. Before moving to Rhode Island, she was a long time resident of Taunton, Ma., where she worked at several factories on and off.

Affectionately known to her family and friends of Taunton as “Cuca”, she was very outgoing, funny, loving and kind. Juana was the life of the party but could also be very serious as she was very protective of the people she loved. She enjoyed playing bingo in her early ages with her mom. She loved dancing, music, especially bachata, and cooking for everyone. She was well known to make the best “pasteles”.

During her transition to Rhode Island, Juana made several friends who then became like family.

Juana is survived by her children, Carlos J. Rivera; William M. Rivera; Ada Rivera; Damari Rivera, all of Taunton. Her siblings, Efrain Quinones; Felix Rivera; Diego Rivera; David Rivera; Nestor Rivera; Ana Rosa Rivera and Julio Rivera; her grandchildren, Ashley M. Hamm; Carlos J. Rivera Jr.; Carlos Dante Cornier; Dakota Costa; Isaiah Ayala; Malaika Rivera; Anthony Serrano Jr. and Maliyah Serrano; her great grandchildren Cyanna Cornier, Evalise Cornier and five other great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Juana’s funeral services on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, from 9:00am to 12:00pm, at Sowiecki- Snyder Home for Funerals & Cremation Services, 69 West Britannia Street, Taunton. Her committal service and interment will follow in Mayflower Hill Cemetery in Taunton. Following her interment, a gathering in her honor will be held at the Italian Naturalization Club, 46 Wales Street, Taunton

For directions and online condolences, please visit us at www.sowieckifh.com or on Facebook at Sowiecki-Snyder Home for Funerals & Cremation Services.

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