Celia Rivas-Plata

Celia Rivas-Plata, age 42, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer and while receiving the loving care of her family.

Celia was born in Queens, NY and was the older of two children to Adolfo and Mirtha Rivas-Plata.  In 1992, at the age of fourteen, Celia’s family moved to New Jersey and settled in the town of Wayne.  Shortly after settling in Wayne, Celia attended Wayne Valley High School where she made long lasting friendships and participated in the high school’s theatre productions as an actress and vocalist.

Following her high school graduation in 1996, Celia attended Bergen Community College followed by the Berdan Institute in Wayne where she earned her certification in Medical Billing.

Celia found work quickly after receiving her certification at Wayne Hematology And Oncology with Dr. Harish Shah.  She was employed there as a Medical Biller for about three years.  Celia was then offered another position, again as a Medical Biller, with Hackensack University Medical Center.  Celia’s career at Hackensack Medical Center spanned over ten years.  In 2013 Celia was diagnosed with Breast Cancer which forced her to stop working and begin her courageous battle.

In 2002 Celia met the light of her life when her son Mateo was born.  Being a mother was truly Celia’s calling and where she genuinely flourished.  Celia was a wonderfully dedicated mother and always there for her son.  Celia was a “Happy Go Lucky” kind of lady whom everyone seemed to know and love.  Throughout the years, she cherished planning parties and holidays with her friends and family.  She was known affectionately to her family and friends as the “Super Cel” because of her willingness to defend those who couldn’t stick up for themselves.  Celia was a generous person willing to help anyone in any way that she could.  She was wonderfully funny and often the life of the party.  Although she was funny, Celia was also outspoken and was never afraid to let you know what she thought or how she felt.  People always knew where they stood with Celia.  Apart from all of Celia’s talents, hobbies, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Celia than providing for her son and spending time with her family and friends.  Celia was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Celia is survived by her son Mateo Mirko of Wayne, her mother Mirtha Rivas-Plata of Wayne, her brother Adolfo Rivas-Plata and his fiancé Michelle Fontanella of Woodland Park, her uncle William Revilla and his wife Maria of Wayne, her cousin Kathleen Hooban and her husband Joseph of Wayne, extended family in Arizona, Florida, New Jersey and New York, and her best friends, Marie Macrone, Bree Kelly and Lauren Bruno. Celia was also “Fairy Godmother” to Emma Jane Sheldon.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Celia’s name are asked to consider Fighting Pretty, 2300 SW 1st Ave Suite 104, Portland, OR 97201.  https://www.fightingpretty.org/