Andrea Rivera-Smith

Andrea Rivera-Smith, 42, passed away peacefully at her home on April 29, 2022, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Born on April 6, 1980, Andrea grew up in Santa Fe and graduated from Santa Fe High before earning a bachelor's degree in History from UNM in 2002. After a short stint as a 1st grade teacher in Albuquerque, Andrea and her husband moved back to Santa Fe in 2005, where she began working at the N.M. State Personnel Office.  

She’ll undoubtedly be remembered as a strong, fierce, and beautiful person, who believed firmly in fairness and in helping others. She was proud to be a hard worker and took her work seriously, but at the end of the day, never took herself too seriously, always sharing her sharp wit and unique humor. She loved to find little ways to brighten someone’s day, and even just her amazing smile and laugh brought so much happiness to those she was around.  

Known to her family and friends as Drea, or just Dre, she was an avid runner and loved working out and doing yoga, saying that she often found peace and relaxation going on her weekend runs, or doing an intense workout. The little things in life gave her tons of pleasure: taking a hot bath, having her feet massaged, snuggling with a cozy blanket, finding a lucky ladybug, or simply just eating chips and salsa. She actually had a love affair with chips and salsa that is hard to describe, and she thoroughly enjoyed the guilty pleasure of watching The Real Housewives and didn’t care what anyone thought of it. She was also the kind of person who didn’t suffer fools gladly, but at the same time loved to laugh at the funny and foolish things about herself. 

But nothing was more important to her than her family. A perfect day for her was simply being with her husband and kids. Whether it was eating her favorite chips and salsa while watching football on Sundays (and then taking a well deserved nap), or going on a cruise around Santa Fe drinking an iced tea, as long as she was with her family, she was totally happy. She would always say that her kids, Cruz and Lea, were her heart, and each and every day of her life was spent caring and loving them immensely. She loved watching her son Cruz play baseball, and her daughter Lea play volleyball. She was the kind of mom who left special notes in lunch boxes and went to crazy lengths to decorate for birthdays. She had a knack for buying the most thoughtful gifts, and she always just wanted her kids to feel special and loved. 

A text sent to her husband from a good friend the day after Andrea’s passing sums up what her family and friends are feeling: “Words cannot express the hole left in the world at the moment. Andrea was a beautiful, smart, funny and extraordinary woman, mother, and wife, and will be missed in this realm.”

She is survived by her husband, José (Joseph), and children, Cruz and Lea; her father Francisco; her sister, Renee; her brother, Francisco (Kiko) and wife Lizette, and niece Brady Rose; and mother-in-law, Yolanda Smith. She is also survived by many aunts and uncles, and countless cousins. She is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Marcia Rivera, and her grandparents on both sides. 

The family would like to thank the immense love and support they’ve received, especially from Andrea’s friends and colleagues at the State Personnel Office, from Joseph’s friends and colleagues at Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences, and many other friends and family. A very special thanks to the staff at Del Corazon Hospice, especially Diana Portillo, who brought so much care and love, and even friendship, into Andrea’s life and home. 

A Rosary will be recited on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. and a Mass will be Celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Burial Ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, Followed by a celebration of Andrea’s life the same day. 

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Santa Fe Girls on the Run  (https://www.gotr-sf.org/donate) in Andrea’s memory. Andrea believed in living a positive and healthy life through running and being active. She would be humbled and honored to support and inspire others to do the same.