Blanca Estela Rivera

Blanca Estela Rivera, beloved daughter of Irene Portillo de Calderón and the late Francisco Calderón, passed away on October 3, 2025, after a courageous battle with illness. A woman of deep faith and strength, she was the devoted wife of the late Carlos G. Rivera and loving mother to Claudia (Edgar) Rivera de Villa, Carlos Rivera, and Irene (David) Rivera.

She leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Felix (Glori) Villa, Edgar A. Villa, Yaritza Villa, Xavier Lopez, Angelica Garcia, Emilio Rivera, Charles Reece, Benicio Rivera, Olivia Reece, and David Reece. Although she longed to meet her first great-granddaughter, expected in December 2025, her family finds peace in knowing she will lovingly guard and guide her from Heaven.

She is also survived by her siblings Martha Calderón de Montoya, Anna Calderón de Rivas, Luis Eduardo Calderón, and Adan Portillo, and was preceded in death by Jaime Calderón, Reynaldo Calderón, and Ovidio Portillo. Her unwavering faith, love, and resilience will be remembered always.

A Mass in her honor will be held at Our Lady, The Mystical Rose Parish (formerly Our Lady of the Mount Church) in Cicero, Illinois on Thursday morning, at 10:00 AM. In accordance with her wishes, there will not be a burial; she will be cremated.