Carmen Vega-Rivera Sunrise: January 14, 1954                            Sunset: December 15, 2019 Carmen sends each and every one of you her heartfelt love and sincere regret that she is unable to celebrate with you in this moment of devoted reflection on her life and legacy. Isn’t this just like her?   While still with us, Carmen expressed the desire that her memory remain alive in our hearts.  Those of us who knew Carmen share the good fortune of loving and having been loved by her.  Her fondest memories were of the support and encouragement, she received throughout her selfless work on behalf of our community’s collective well-being.  This extended first and foremost to our children, then to the community at large who’s interest, and needs motivated her passionate advocacy and leadership.  Her legacy is a clarion call to service, it is spearheaded by the urgency that there is yet so much to be done especially in the areas of equitably accessible housing, education, community empowerment, fair representation and diversity and inclusion in all areas of community life.  Her greatest fear was that she wouldn’t have enough time to make good on her lifelong commitment to a more just society.   Carmen was best known for her honest, unconditional and uncompromising compassion.  She always gave beyond her means, set the highest standards and demanded nothing less from those brave enough to step into the ring alongside her.  She never wavered in her belief that we were worth the fight. Carmen inherited her strength from her predeceased parents, Juana Vega-Martinez, mother and Manuel Vega-Martinez, father.  A proud and avid Loisada and Bronx girl, Carmen met and married Juan Rivera her beloved husband, friend, and lover of 48 years. Never was there heard a discouraging word spoken between them, she was living proof that there is hope when you love deeply and purely. Their love yielded what Carmen considered to be her crowning achievement in life, Taina-Mia Rivera, firstborn daughter and Jaime-Juan Rivera, her beloved son better known as “JJ”.   Nearest and dearest to her heart are her talented and artistic grandbabies about whom she never was tired of talking about and to whom she ordained great dreams and aspirations, they include Matthew Torres, Dominick Torres, Aliana-Mia Torres, Leila-Rose Torres, Malani Montero, and yes, a great-grandson, Jace-Aiden Torres.   Carmen is also survived by her loving sisters, Iraida, Sandra, Alida, brother Ivan, and numerous other Vega Rivera family members. Worthy of mention are the dozens of children who flourished under her love, leadership, and care whom Carmen owned as her own with special pride during and after her tenure as Executive Director of the East Harlem Tutorial Program, which remained her flagship career accomplishment. During her last advocacy campaign, Carmen bravely navigated NYC’s complicated healthcare system and waged her most challenging battle, seeking medical best practices and viable healing options.   One-month shy of her 66th birthday, Carmen received her homegoing call to her final meeting from which she will not return, but Carmen would have us to remember that we are a people of hope and celebration.  It consoles us to know, that Carmen is now engaged in another assignment which comes with many glorious benefits…a reunion with her spiritual ancestors and long-missed friends and family, in a place of peace where she is finally, free of all pain.  Her new mission provides her a grander place of renewal, health, spiritual advocacy, music, dancing, art, long walks, laughter, and celebration to her heart’s content.  Thank you, Carmen, for your life and your legacy; we will continue to honor your spirit and will deeply miss you. Thank you all for your condolences and prayers.  Our family is deeply grateful.