(L-R) Naya Rivera, Ryan Dorsey, son Josey.Photo: Ryan Dorsey/Instagram
Ryan Dorsey is rememberingNaya Riveraon what would’ve been her 35th birthday.
The actress, who was beloved for portraying Santana Lopez onGlee,diedin July 2020 at age 33 as aresult of a drowning accident.
In a statement to PEOPLE on Tuesday, Dorsey, 38, pays tribute to Rivera with whom he shared sonJosey, now 6 years old.
“She knew how willing Josey was to share his things but she’d be so proud to see how he’ll give things he loves away to friends or donate them,” shares theBig Skyactor, who wasmarriedto Rivera from 2014 to 2018.
“At least once a day I find myself shaking my head, like it’s still unbelievable, so surreal that she’s gone. She’d be freaking out today, I could almost hear her: ‘OMG, I’m almost 40!’ " he says. “It’s hard to write this, tears coming out my eyes. Unf—ing real.”
Naya Rivera.Taylor Jewell/invision/AP/Shutterstock
In July 2020, Rivera and her son Josey rented a boat at Lake Piru in Southern California. When the boat was not returned on time, staff found it on the north side of the lake with Josey sleeping in his life jacket on board, but the mother of one was not with her child.
Last year, on Rivera’s 34th birthday, Dorsey shared atributeto her on Instagram, along with a black-and-white photo of the pair with their son.
“Just as surreal as it is real that you’re gone. If that makes sense, but none of this still makes any sense…34..I could just hear you saying ‘Ah, I’m old AF now!’ Ha…Rest easy old lady…❤️ 💫 🤍🖤💫❤️,” hewroteat the time.
And last June, Rivera’sfather George Rivera told PEOPLEthat his late daughter was “looking forward to so many things” in her future. “She loved being a mother and you could see the maturity and satisfaction that Josey brought. It was a good time for her,” he said.
Since Rivera’s passing, Dorsey and herGleecostars, including Heather Morris, Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz, have honored her with tributes as well as through annual fundraisers forAlexandria House, an organization Rivera passionately supported.
source: people.com
