Geraldine Alvarez Riviere

Geraldine Alvarez Riviere passed away on Monday, August 13, 2018, at 5:34 p.m. surrounded by her loving husband, sisters and niece Elizabeth Normand. 

She is survived by her husband, John Ford Riviere; her brother Lt. Col Oscar M. Alvarez II USMC (Ret); her sisters Lucie Alvarez McElligott and her husband, Jack, Carmen Alvarez Thibodeaux and her husband, Joe Bob and Lisa Anne Alvarez Hebert and her husband, Kevin; and her cousin, who was like a sister to her, Estela Alvarez. She is also survived by her stepdaughter Marcelle Riviere Meador and her husband, Van; sister-in-law Rose Guidroz; and cousins Michael Haeffler and his wife, Cathy and Luis Alvarez. She was lovingly known as “Gigi” to her special nieces and nephews John McElligott III and his wife, Lauren, Elizabeth McElligott Normand and her husband, Roe and their children Daniel and Lucie, Cpl. Trace Hebert USMC, Ali Hebert, Carmen Alvarez, Allison Alvarez and Jake Alvarez. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Oscar Modesto Alvarez and her brother-in-law Thomas Riviere. 

Geri was born on November 1, 1955, in Lafayette. She was a graduate of Mt. Carmel Academy in New Iberia where she excelled in basketball, being named “Miss Basketball – Louisiana” her senior year. She graduated from St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans, earning a bachelor of science in Biology and worked as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist for many years until her retirement in 2016 from Diagnostic Imaging in New Orleans. It was then that she was able to devote her time to her greatest passion, golf. In 2017, she won the New Orleans Women’s Golf Association Tournament. One of her finest moments was when she made a hole-in-one on April 27, 2016, on #12 at English Turn. 

Always the life of the party, Geri had a magnetic personality, an infectious laugh and a kind spirit. To know Geri was to love Geri. She battled her illness the way she lived her life, as a fearless warrior. She was a true inspiration and joy to her family and friends and will be greatly missed by all. We will keep that purple beach chair open for you, Gigi and the martinis flowing. 

The family would like to thank Dr. C.T. Stirling of Franklin for his many years of compassionate care shown towards Geri. We would also like to thank Jennifer and Megan with Heart of Hospice for their special love and comfort. 

Visitation will be at Jacob Schoen Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, on Saturday, August 18, 2018, beginning at 9:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at noon in the J. Garic Schoen Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Geri’s memory to the following organizations, Heart of Hospice, 1700 Belle Chasse Hwy., #B230, Gretna, LA 70056; Susan G. Komen, Dept. 41831, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265; Catholic High School, 1301 de La Salle Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560 and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, nmcrs.org. 

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenfh.com.