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The famous General Trexler Estate at 1227 Hamilton Street is among the best known residences in Allentown. Filled with ornate woodwork, leaded stained glass windows, comtemporary lighting and a grand entranceway, coming to the Trexler Home is a unique experience.

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Amy L. Rivera
12/29/2022

Amy Rivera, 36, of Long Pond Pa. passed away December 29th at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest. She was the wife of Stephen Rivera since 2019. Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of Michael L. Zdrojesky and Billie (Kemmerer) Zdrojesky.

 

Amy was a lover of animals and the outdoors all her life, riding and showing horses as well as skiing and snowboarding in her youth.  As an adult she spent much time gardening, hiking, camping, biking, and was always with her four dogs.  She was a multi-sport athlete excelling in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse in high school. She attended the University of Maine where she was a celebrated field hockey player, having been selected to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Regional All-American Second Team and earned America East All-Conference First Team accolades in 2006 and 2007.  Throughout her professional career Amy excelled as a caretaker, as a manager, as a coach, and as a teacher taking pride in the difference she made at every step.  She also expressed a strong creative drive as an artisan and as a cook.  She started two businesses, Dog Paw Barkery and Delphine Handmade Jewelry.  Amy also dabbled in various other artistic mediums including art, fashion, decorating, and writing.  As a vegan for the last five years of life she drew together her commitment to the animals and the earth with her culinary abilities.  Amy was an English teacher and Librarian at Executive Education Academy Charter School in Allentown for the last five years of her career.  As an educator Amy was beloved by her students and her teammates alike.  With her contagious passion for reading and excellent classroom management skills, Amy was committed to affirming the voices of her students as well as encouraging a sense of their own ability to affect positive change in the world. Above all, her approach was always one of deep care and love.

 

Amy is survived by her father; her mother and stepfather John Dingler; her husband; her brother Michael W. Zdrojesky; sister Samantha Loose; step brothers Jason and Charles Dingler; step sister Jessica DeWever; her grandmothers Beatrice Kemmerer and Jeanette Zdrojesky; and her nieces and nephews: Jakob, Kaleb, Jefferson, Juliette, Aubrey, Gavin, Orion, and Brooks.

 

Services: viewing on Thursday, January 5th starting at 5:00 p.m. at Nicos C. Elias Funeral Home, 1227 W. Hamilton St., Allentown. Service at 6:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Stephen Simmons officiating.

 

Contributions can be made (1) to a fund that has been started in her name at her alma mater or (2) with a note in Amy's name or in her memory for kidney cancer research to:

 

1. University of Maine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, Maine 04469-5792 or online at our.umaine.edu/amyz.

 

or

 

2. Andy Derr Foundation 144 Lilac Drive, Allentown, PA 18104 or online at: www.andyderrfoundation.org/donate