38 The Courier SUN • JANUARY 15, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS [email protected] Riding the cyclone My week was like life — full of highs and lows. My high was taking my little grandchildren to two shows and attending the fabulous party given by my friend, Judge Sylvia Ash. But the low was the sad funeral/wake of sweet Willie Rivera, who I got to know through his brother Geraldo. Willie, 71, who passed away Jan. 7, was the father of three with 12 grandchildren. He was laid to rest with accolades of love from his family and friends. A poignant video showed this once powerful man, who people at the wake said was built like Popeye, through his journey of life. The love of all in the room was directed to Willie, who everyone acknowledged was tough but tender in his love and particularly to his many grandchildren whom he adored. I had met him many years ago when he accompanied Geraldo to the annual Geraldo Rivera Golf Outing where Geraldo over the decades raised millions of dollars for Life’s WORC, an agency for people with disabilities and autism that was born out of the scandals Geraldo covered at the Willowbrook State School in the early 1970s. I had just talked with Willie at the last outing about his illness, cancer, but he was so upbeat and talking about beating the disease as the optimist he was. I wish he had. I will miss his smiling, warm and loving face. My deepest condolences to Geraldo, his mom and the rest of his devoted family. My daughter Elizabeth took a break and escaped to the beauty of the beach at Gurney’s Resort and Seawater Spa in Montauk for a restorative weekend. I had the fun of taking Jonah, Addy and Morgan to “Disney on Ice” at the Nassau Coliseum and then on Sunday to a local playhouse acting school production of “Frozen,” featuring my daughter Samantha’s friends’ children. The ice show also featured some songs from “Frozen.” It’s remarkable to me how passionate all the children are about “Frozen.” They never tire of the characters, the music, the lyrics and the brilliant story. My 2-year-old grandson Hudson repeatedly sings the lyrics, “Let it go...” I love the powerful, meaningful line in another “Frozen” song, “For the first time in forever, nothing’s in my way!” Ironically, my grandchildren loved both performances, but the children’s show was the best in their opinion. But don’t tell Disney! Saturday night I was delighted to attend what is an annual sip and chat New Year’s party given by Justice Sylvia G. Ash. And what fun it was! Her Brooklyn home was decorated with holiday cheer and the people in attendance lifted the merriment, enjoying each other and thrilled to be there with the political royalty of New York City. Mayor de Blasio visited with his wife Chirlane McCray, and they were immediately surrounded by the love of the people at the party. They cheered when he spoke and embraced him as he and his wife made their way through the house. The mayor was surrounded by our “Latino Star,” City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Borough President Eric Adams and his brilliant and beautiful chief of staff Ingrid Lewis- Martin, and the eloquent and stunning Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reynes, to name a few of the many powerful friends at the party. The energy level and goodwill was a wonderful conclusion to the holiday season. victoria’s secrets tweet me @vschneps Dynamic $1000 off Lumineers $500 off Invisalign DENTAL WORK Free Whitening included the inViSiBle WAy to Some excluSionS Apply StrAighten teeth third generation dentist 175-15 Jamaica avenue, Jamaica 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 called ‘life’ Geraldo Rivera with his brother Wille, who passed away Jan. 7 Mayor de Blasio with co-hostess Justice Sylvia G. Ash HHC President Dr. Raj Ramanathan and George Hulse of Healthfirst Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix, Ingrid Lewis- Martin, hostess Justice Sylvia G. Ash Cyclones Assistant General Manager Gary Perone with Deputy Borough President Diana Reynes Mayor de Blasio with George Hulse Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Councilman Robert Cornegy, Mayor de Blasio, Public Advocate Letitia James with co-host Carmen Charles Medgar Evers College President Rudy Crew and hostess Justice Sylvia G. Ash Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Ingrid Lewis-Martin and Jessie Hamilton III Retired Judge William Thompson, Justice Ash and Kings County Supreme Court Administrative Judge Larry Knipel
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