Teresa L. Rivera, age 63 of Salida, CO passed away on Sunday April 27, 2025 at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, CO. Ms. Rivera was born January 26, 1962 in Glenwood Springs, CO to Juan and Anita (Suazo) Rivera. Teresa started working at the age of 13 at the Salida Inn as a bus girl. She worked up to being a waitress at the Panda and El Palacio Restaurants in Salida, where she enjoyed talking to people and entering their lives and picking on them gaining her the nickname “Teresa the Terrible”. She then went to work for the Salida Rec department where she accompanied the kids to many different places including Rockies games, always making sure the kids had a good time. She also ran the Pre K Fridays Program, finding new arts and crafts for the kids to do to help them expand their imaginations. She ran this program for 6 years. She also taught Catechism for many years helping kids strengthen their faith in God. Teresa worked for the Salida Schools as the lunch lady for 12 years. She enjoyed being a “Mom” to all who needed an ear or a shoulder to cry on. She also made an impact in the theater world helping make costumes for Calliope for many years. Teresa retired at the age of 59.
She continued doing what she loved, being a loving sister, daughter and most importantly a mom. She loved being with her mom and sister going everywhere from faith and family meeting to just going to the store. She enjoyed traveling and seeing new places. She traveled to Hawaii, New York, Italy, Scotland and to the holy land of Medugorje with her church family. She also enjoyed visiting her family in New Mexico. She was a saint to everyone and never met a stranger. Her greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was her son Jonathon. She was preceded in death by her father Juan Rivera, infant brother Juan Rivera Jr, Grandmother Eliria Suazo, God Mother Sinfer Gomez and her favorite pet Rascal. She is survived by her mother Anita Rivera of Salida, CO, son Jonathon Thompson of Pueblo, CO, sisters Julia Rivera of Salida, Jennifer Archuleta of Taos, MN, faithful companion Merlin and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Recitation of the Holy Rosary is set for 10:30 AM Saturday May 10, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with a Memorial Mass to follow at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donation can be made to Faith and Family at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
