J. Pauline Rivera's Obituary
Johanna “Pauline” Rivera, 85, of Clinton passed away Thursday, June 17, 2021 at The Alverno—Clinton.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory. Visitation will be from noon until the service time. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting her obituary at www.snellzornig.com
Pauline, as she preferred to be called, was born June 30, 1935 in Charleville, County Cork, Ireland, the daughter of Michael and Mary (O’Leary) Curtin. She was married to Ted Rivera from 1975 until his death in 2000. Pauline emigrated to the United States in 1957. She lived in Illinois where she worked as a nanny until her marriage to Ted and moved to Iowa almost 40 years ago. She loved Iowa’s hills and rolling fields which reminded her of her childhood in Ireland.
Pauline was a member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church. She loved entertaining and cooking for friends, taking care of her cats, walking and browsing in Clinton’s shops.
She was a devoted daughter and sister and a beloved aunt to many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, including Nicole Ash, Jennifer Grobelny, Mary Joyce and Paula Harnett. She is survived by three siblings: Helen Tobin of County Limerick, Ireland, Kathy (Jerry) Biederman of Glencoe, Illinois and Dennis (Anna) Curtin of Charleville, Ireland. Pauline was a great friend to people she had met throughout her time in America who are too numerous to name. Many of them were as family to her, particularly her longtime significant other Bill Clark and his family, Carena (Chris) French, Katie French and Mason French and her friends, Peter and Danielle Mascagni.
Pauline was preceded in death by her husband and five siblings: Tim, Dan and Pad Curtin, Mary Buckinski and Chrissie Joyce and by her oldest friend in Clinton, Marie Mascagni.
Donations in Pauline’s memory may be made to The Alverno and to Midwest Pets for Life.
What’s your fondest memory of J.?
What’s a lesson you learned from J.?
Share a story where J.'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with J. you’ll never forget.
How did J. make you smile?