On November 13th, 2024, Miriam Rivarola passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 91. Born in Verona, Italy, Maria Tersea Cavallari was the daughter of Gaetano and Carlotta. She lived through WWII, in the city known for the titular character of Juliet, where she worked in a shoe store until she met Zigmunt Kupferman who was there while part of the U.S. army.

The two fell in love and Maria became Miriam as she converted to Judaism for Zigmunt when they married in March 1957. Later that year her first born son, Denny Kupferman, was born in Vicenza in the U.S. Army base. And despite the lack of roots and knowledge of the English language, the small family immigrated to the U.S. settling in Ozone Park Queens in 1958.

Two years later, Miriam gave birth to her daughter Betty. Through television, Miriam began to learn English and in 1963 she became a naturalized U.S. citizen. She was a devoted mother and housewife, as Zigmunt (who was also known as Ziggy) became a cab driver in New York City.

But tragedy struck in 1973 after Ziggy passed away from a heart attack at the age of 48. Miriam continued to raise her two children, again showing her fortitude and strength in a circumstance of sorrow. But, she wasn't a widow for long, after being set up with an amazing man who also journeyed over from Genoa, Italy, Ampelio (who was also known as Eddie) Rivarola of Elmont, New York. Ampelio had three children of his own (Teresa, Joseph and Marco) from his first wife who had passed.

The two were married on June 11th in 1978 and lived happily in Elmont for many years. Until they both decided winter was not their friend and became snowbirds, living part time in a condo in Boca Raton. They hosted many Christmases, dinners and card games while enjoying the wonderful weather and golf course they lived on. In 2007 they moved out of their Elmont house and into a condo in Glen Cove, being closer to Denny and eventually Betty who settled back in New York City.

In April 2020, Ampelio passed away during the Covid crisis. Miriam, who was known for her amazing cooking, perfectionist cleaning and bright smile, playing a wicked game of spades,  and being a little bit of a heckler, is now with both of her husbands in heaven looking down on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild.

Flowers may be sent to the McLaughlin Kramer Megiel Funeral Home at 220 Glen St., Glen Cove, NY 11542.