Rebecca (Rivera) Merced

Per Family Request, Do Not Send Floral Arrangements!

Mrs. Rebecca (Rivera) Merced, age 76 of Chapel Hill, NC transitioned into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC.

She was the loving wife of Eufemio (Honey); devoted mother to Yolanda (and Suzanne, who left us much too soon in 1983); loved mother-in-law of William Graves; and dear sister to Eva, Nancy, Ruth, and John (deceased). She is the daughter of Juan and Eva Rivera, and she had been a resident of Chapel Hill since 2017.  

Rebecca was born in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, on May 9, 1946. At about six months old, her family moved to New York. She was raised in Brooklyn and raised her own family there. Becky loved to cook and was always planning the next few meals. She was also a big Mets fan and spent many weekends with her family at Shea Stadium. Becky loved music; music was constantly playing in the house, from Disco to R&B, to Classical: her all-time favorite was Barry White. The Blake Avenue house was always full of family and friends, celebrating holidays or just celebrating life. Becky loved to entertain and would go out of her way to make you feel special, would make a fuss over everyone’s Birthday and special occasions. Becky made many friends wherever she went, from Brooklyn to Miami (Sunny Isles), and finally to Chapel Hill. Becky always used to say, “I feel rich,” not from money but because of her family and friends. She was the nucleus of the family, their rock, their leader, and their Captain:  

O Captain! My Captain! Your fearful trip is done. You are now at peace in heaven.  

Rebecca left strict instructions not to have a funeral and not to make a fuss over her; that was just like her. She did, however, state that we should remember her over a meal: remember the good times, remember the laughs, and raise a glass of juice, milk, or dirty Martini and offer a toast to her.  

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home-Chapel Hill, NC