Paquita Rivera McCreery, 93, of Pinehurst, NC, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Fox Hollow Senior Living.
She was born in Manhattan, New York on Dec. 12, 1931, and was the daughter of the late Domingo Rivera and Juanita Rotger Rivera. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill McCreery (2015), son in law Billy Creech (2023) and brothers Gilbert Rivera (2008) and Jose Antony “Pepe” Velez (2021).
Paquita grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, having moved there at the age of 6 months. After college, she worked in advertising in NY and Puerto Rico. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, William “Bill” McCreery on a blind date. During their 57-year marriage, Bill & Paquita moved multiple times as Bill served in the US Air Force Strategic Air Command. Paquita worked in various Civil Service positions at Air Force bases in Puerto Rico, New Hampshire and Maine. Upon retiring, they decided to relocate to the Sandhills area of NC in 1987.
After settling in the Sandhills, Paquita returned to work as a medical secretary at Pinehurst Surgical Clinic. She fully retired in 1997 to focus on her flower gardens, quilting and traveling with Bill.
She is survived by her 3 children, William J. McCreery III and wife Susan, Tina M. Creech, and Michael P. McCreery and wife Judy; sister Maria Fields; six grandchildren Kaley (Josh), Megan, Samantha (Matt), Casey, Ashley and Scotty (Gabi); 6 great grandchildren Maya, Eli, Jade, Madison, Avery and another great grandson due in October.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 13 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines. A private graveside service to join her husband Bill at Sandhills Veteran Cemetery in Spring Lake will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations for First Health Hospice in memory of Paquita McCreery. The family would like to thank Fox Hollow and First Health Hospice for taking care of Paquita.
Online condolences may be left at: www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
