Inocencia Colon Rivera

Holyoke – Inocencia Colon Rivera, 86, passed away peacefully at home on Monday September 29, 2025. She was born June 21, 1939, in Coamo, Puerto Rico, to Eustaquio Correa Colon and Eva Colon Rivera.

At the age of 20, she came to the United States, living in New York for two years, before coming to Holyoke where she remained for the past 63 years. Inocencia was employed as a Bundler at Northampton Packaging for many years. She was very creative, and loved ceramics and cooking, specially making her famous zucchini bread.

She leaves behind her five children, Jose Rafael Merced, Antonio T. Colon and his wife Cindy, and Margarita Colon, all of Holyoke, Rosa Maria Hernandez Guthro of West Springfield and Tania Hernandez of North Adams; her step-daughters, Angelica M. Hernandez and Karime Hernandez, both of Florida; her four siblings, Eustaquio Colon Jr., Pablo Colon and Eladia Colon and her husband Eriberto Cortez, all of Holyoke and Maria M. Colon and her husband Robert Allen of Chicopee; her grandchildren, Anthony G. Torres, Lisa Morales, April Pike, Justin T. Colon and Katherine Colon; her “Besties” Sofia J. Rivera and Alex J. Rivera of Chicopee. She also leaves behind several great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her two brothers, Roberto Rodriguez and Francisco Colon.

Calling hours will be held on Monday October 6, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Messier Funeral Home 1944 Northampton St. Holyoke, MA. Inocencia’s funeral will be Tuesday October 7, starting at 9:00 am at the funeral home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Jerome’s Church, 169 Hampden St. Holyoke, MA. Burial will be private for the family at a later date.

To leave an online expression of sympathy for the family, please visit www.messierfuneralhome.com