Violeta Rivera

Our perfect daughter, Violeta Margaret Court Rivera, peacefully passed away in our arms at 5:18 p.m. on November 7th. We are forever heartbroken, empty, longing, grieving, and wondering why. We find comfort that Violeta lived wildly, happily, and was loved by so, so many. Her parents loved her twinkling, mischievous eyes, her happy smile, her bronze medaling the DLM diaper derby, her weird grunts whenever we read to her, her love of baths, puppies, cows, elephants, vegetables, shaking her booty to Old McDonald, playing peek-a-boo, the Pout Pout Fish, playing in the mulch at Shafor Park, and opening her toy chest all by herself. We were so looking forward to learning more of her interests as she grew up.

Violeta had recently been diagnosed with a SCN1A genetic defect, which causes anything from simple febrile seizures to a very serious condition called Dravet Syndrome. We learned this week that Violeta had Dravet Syndrome, and she had a catastrophic seizure from the common cold that led to a four day hospital stay with three days of seizing and her ultimate passing.

We felt our family was completed by her, and we are shattered that our life with our girl is over, but we feel so lucky to have been her parents for 13 beautiful, perfect months. She was our gift and we will cherish our memories of her for the rest of our lives. 

Thank you to our amazing group of friends who carried us through the worst days of our lives, our families, Violeta’s adoring adopted Grandma and Poppy, and the incredible staff at Dayton Children’s, especially Dr. Debra O’Donnell and Dr. Ann Burke.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a donation to Dravet Syndrome Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 3026,Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.

Family will receive guests from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at Woodland Mausoleum, 118 Woodland Ave. A funeral service will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the mausoleum with burial to follow. All are welcome to attend.

To share a memory of Violeta or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.