Stella Dawn Rivera Mendoza

Stella Dawn Rivera Mendoza

July 24, 1977 – August 1, 2026

Stella Dawn Rivera Mendoza, 49, passed away on August 1, 2026, in Denver, Co, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and countless memories cherished by all who knew her. She was Stizz or Nina to us ❤️

Stella was warm, goofy, playful, and full of life. She had a way of bringing joy into the lives of the people around her, and her laughter was unmistakably her own. She never needed a reason to be silly, and those who knew her best will forever remember the happiness she brought into even the simplest moments. To know her, was truly, to love her.

Above all else, she was a devoted mother to her two daughters, Ciana and Ariana, who were the center of her world. Her love for them was unconditional and fierce, and the bond they shared was one of the greatest joys of her life. She will be deeply missed by her girls, who will carry her love and the memories they made together throughout their lives.

She loved her daughters very much, but she also loved and cherished her brother, Manuel, who preceded her in death. The relationship they shared was truly one that she treasred. His passing left an emptiness in her heart that never healed, and that she carried always.

Dancing has always been one of her passions. She always enjoyed dancing to cumbias but She especially LOVED Zumba! As a matter of fact, she would jokingly (or not so jokingly) claim to be the person who invented it 😂

Although her life was far too short, the love she gave was immeasurable. Her daughters, Ciana and Ariana, as well as her family and friends, will forever hold her memory close to their hearts.

Stizz will be remembered not only for the love she gave, but for the laughter she created, the silliness she brought into the room, and the warmth she made people feel simply by being herself.

Her life was a gift, her memory a treasure, and her love will live on through the people who were blessed to know her.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda Rivera; grandmother, Stella Rivera; brother, Manuel Rivera; and niece, Analesia Rivera. She is survived by her daughters, Ciana and Ariana Mendoza; sister-cousin, Justine Salazar Garcia (Derek); brother-cousin, Lamont Salazar (Eliana); brother-cousin, Orlando Salazar; niece and goddaughter, Sierra Lugo (Alex); nephews and godsons, Ethan Anderson (Oakley), Cristian Lugo (Alondra), and Benito Salazar; and cousins, Aizik Salazar and Jazlynn Salazar