It is with a heavy heart that we share that Laura Ellen Rivera has moved on to her next great adventure on August 21, 2026. Born on August 11 1958, daughter of Robert and Dorothy Jones, Laura spent her life living one adventure after another, never hesitating to take that next step into the unknown, facing it full on with the knowledge and attitude that she could handle anything life threw at her. Laura had many interests, including travel, the outdoors, books, watching movies, but most importantly, spending time with her family and snuggling with her grandchildren.

Laura’s passion for travel began early in life, when she and family would take vacations visiting various states and sites across the country. This then continued after college when she and her friend went backpacking across Europe. She often commented that her job interviews after college focused more on that trip then her education. After marrying in 2003, she moved to Raleigh NC and took on an international role with Novartis Pharmaceuticals, based in Basel Switzerland. There, she was Director or Global Marketing Training. A dream of hers; she traveled and trained marketers all over the world. Her experiences were so vast, that when watching shows or movies, she would point to the screen proudly saying, “I’ve been there” and then telling a story of her time spent in that location, usually just talking right over whatever was playing in the background which was okay, because her stories were most often better anyway.

She didn’t need to be front on stage, when volunteering, she would often ask for the jobs that were in the background that no one else wanted (sweeping, mopping and filing) rather than standing up front and center because she said that she wasn’t there to get in the way, just to help where she could.

Laura loved the outdoors, whether it was hiking various parks around the country or spending time at the ocean with family and friends. One of her dreams was to someday have a home on the water. This is where she found calmness and peace. This dream was fulfilled, when she and her husband of 23 years, moved to Charleston SC. She spent her final years, sitting on her porch or watching out her bedroom window; storms as the blew over the river and the magical sunsets that lit up the sky. She had books of local birds and frequently commented on the egrets, herons, and pelicans which settled in the marshes. An avid reader, Laura was surrounded by a wall of books in her library, which mostly housed classics from her childhood.

Family traditions were important to her. This could be seen in every part of her life, but holidays took on a special meaning. Never knowing where she might be on any given holiday or who she might be with, the actual day itself became less important than all of the family traditions that lead up to it. Decorating for Halloween and Christmas, hiking and searching for the perfect tree, making special meals and treats, and spending time together were what the holidays were about for her not a specific day.

Most of all, Laura loved time with her family. She was blessed to have two wonderful grandchildren (Clara and Liam), and a daughter (Maggie) who she cherished and shared a special bond and connection. On vacations the grandchildren would get up, grab their tablets and blankets, snuggle up, and spend hours in bed with her. We would often hear them laughing as they were bugging their Grandmeem, while she was trying to sleep. She loved it.

She had requested that her 23rd anniversary and recent birthday be celebrated in Chicago. There, she and her husband went to plays, art museums, gangster bus tours, ate great dinners and held hands while walking the streets of the city. This was a city she had visited frequently and had fond memories with friends and family.

When faced with adversity, those who loved her knew they could withstand whatever was thrown at them because by God, Laura was standing right behind them supporting them and sometimes stepping in to take over and make sure things were handled correctly. She was a mother, wife, Grandmeem, gatherer of knowledge, supporter, shield, and protector and if it needed doing, she made sure it got done. She left those around her feeling braver, stronger, and more capable for having known her.

She is survived by her husband, Mike Rivera, daughters Margaret Perkins (Daniel), Madison Rivera (Jonathan), and son Max Rivera (Austin). She was a devoted “Grandmeem” to her beloved grandkids Clara and Liam. She will also be missed by her cherished sisters Kathy Hardesty (Jeff) and Robbie Pelsor (Gus) and their families as well. Though we will miss her sorely, her parents and brother Tim who preceded her will be happy to have her back in their arms.

She will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

Laura’s wish was to be cremated. In lieu of formal services, a Celebration of Life will be forthcoming.