Obituary of Myrta Rivera

On the beautiful morning of September 24, 2012, Myrta began a new path leaving Lisaard House, surrounded by family. After 68 years on her previous journey, Myrta is survived by her loving husband, David Cooke, her children, Ioanna Sahas Martin (Dan Martin) of Ottawa and John Sahas (Joe Olynyk) of Agua Dulce, California and her three grandchildren, Gabriel Peter, Jacob Daniel and Maria-Grace Evelyn. She is also survived by her mother Flor Pineiro Rivera of San Juan, Puerto Rico, her loving sisters, Grace Yanez, of Boulder, Colorado and Priscilla Rivera, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and her nieces Gina Josette, Susy Sanchez and Yuly Sanchez. She is predeceased by her mother Clemencia Alicea Perez Rivera and her father Juan Marcos Rivera. She will also be missed by members of the Cooke and McCulloch families. Born in Puerto Rico, Myrta lived in South America before studying in the United States and obtaining two post-graduate degrees in world religions, specializing in Muslim-Christian relationships. She began her interests in working with refugees and new immigrants in that country before settling in Canada in 1969 with her husband Daniel Sahas. Subsequent to teaching at the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College, Myrta spent eighteen years building the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre into a vibrant and welcoming environment for immigrant client services and community advocacy. At the same time, she served twelve years on the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board and was a Chairperson of the Board of REVIEW of the Employment Services Appeals Division. At the age of 61, Myrta embarked on a new endeavour as a Chaplain at St. Mary's General Hospital, walking alongside and bringing comfort to families and individuals at a time of crisis and pain. Myrta has been active in all aspects of life at Sts Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, and at Trinity United Church. Her family invites you to visit with them at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm and Thursday from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm. A service to celebrate her life and faith will be held at Trinity United Church, 74 Frederick Street, Kitchener on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 11:00 am. Special thanks to all those who have accompanied Myrta and her family, particularly the CCAC workers, the medical and spiritual care teams at St Mary's Hospital, Grand River Hospital and its Regional Cancer Centre, the nursing team at 6B of the Grand River Hospital, and the entire staff at Lisaard House. As expressions of sympathy, donations are invited to the Chaplaincy program of St. Mary's General Hospital, St. John's Kitchen program of the Working Centre, Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, Trinity United Church or Lisaard House and may be arranged through the funeral home, www.erbgood.com or 519.7845.8445.