Our friend Nivia Cruz has died. A square dancer of indomitable spirit, she brought gaiety to every occasion, and to many Times Squares events.
Born in Cuba, she was raised in Holguin, a city in the province of Oriente. As a young girl, she came to this country and met fellow Cuban Tom Alamo, with whom she had a lifelong friendship of laughing and dancing.
Nivia was a wonderful cook and an enthusiastic hostess. She loved entertaining a constant flow of friends at the weekend home in Pennsylvania she shared with her long time love, and eventual wife Nadine Posner. This home provided Nivia a platform for themed parties, cookouts, dinners and many warm memories.
When not square dancing, Nivia enjoyed dancing Salsa a few times a week. Sometimes on the same Saturday night, she would finish a Combo Dance at PS3, only to head uptown to Salsa the night away with Nadine. It can be truly said that Nivia was a party girl as she used any excuse to have one, including snow storms, hurricanes and blackouts.
Times Squares will surely miss Nivia’s generous spirit, engaging laugh and joy of living.