Bovina, New York - BOVINA - Maria "Ria" Aron of Bovina, passed away on Monday, May 21, 2018.

The daughter of Burt and Nancy (Pfister) Meyer, she was born on Feb. 11, 1939, in Amstelveen, Holland.

Ria came to the United States with her parents, older brother, Peter, and younger brother, Burt, in December 1949, and resided with her family in Flushing.

She attended Jamaica High School and graduated in the top 10 of her class at age 16.

After high school, she continued her education to receive an Associate of Arts degree from New York University in 1975. In 1984 she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Fairleigh Dickenson University, and completed a Master's degree in business administration in 1986. All of her education was completed while she was employed. She paid for her education through tuition refunds she received from her employers and her salary.

Her first job was at American Express, and she moved on to American Airlines as a secretary. After some time she was promoted to systems analyst. After moving to Maplewood, New Jersey, she received a job offer at ADP as a sales trainer. She went on to work at Prudential Insurance and was promoted to vice president of sales training.

Ria was awarded as an honorary member of "Who's Who Worldwide" in 1993-94 of Global Business Leaders whose membership is limited to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in their occupation, industry, or profession. After retiring from Prudential, she joined the Board of Margaretville Hospital where she was elected to head up the financial committee. In her first year of office, she raised $75,000. She was also a member of the Bovina Library Board and served as vice president of the Delhi Rotary.

Ria's favorite words were "I have no children but I have many other people's children and many friends and visitors."

She met her best friend and love, Oliver DeSofi, 50 years ago when she was a secretary at American Airlines and he was an executive vice president. Her motto for life was "live, love, laugh," and she was happiest being around people, whether friends, family, or acquaintances. Her door was always open to everyone and she loved to cook meals and share stories over the stove in her kitchen. Ria was kind and generous to friends and neighbors and selflessly offered to help and give advice to anyone in need. She was a keeper and protector of all animals. For many years she fed stray cats around the Bovina area, and made special meals for barn cats, raccoons, ducks, geese, birds and many other creatures on her property.

Those who knew Ria best will remember her as a kind and compassionate friend, a hard-working, driven, and independent businesswoman, a devoted volunteer, and a trusted neighbor. She was a truly special aunt, and a most loving mother to her stepchildren, her two dogs, Max and Moe, and her cats. She will be loved and missed forever.

Ria leaves behind her companion, Oliver DeSofi; niece, Linda Knoernschild (David); great-niece, Alyssa Russell (Erich); stepdaughter, Judy Aron-Sellaro (Tony); step-grandson, Raymond Sellaro; stepdaughter, Ramsey Single (Dale); and many, many friends who will miss her greatly.

She was predeceased by her former husband and friend, Raymond Aron.

A celebration of Ria's life will be held at 4 p.m., Sunday, June 24, at the Bovina Community Center, 1866 County Highway 6, Bovina Center.

Share condolences with the Aron family at www.hallandpeet.com.