Ryan Dorsey Lovingly Called Naya Rivera ‘Old Lady’ in an Emotional Birthday Tribute

Ryan Dorsey posted a birthday tribute to Naya Rivera on what would have been her 34th birthday. 

The Glee actor and mom to five-year-old son Josey passed away tragically in a boating accident last July in Lake Piru, California. Dorsey wrote in his post to Rivera that it's “just as surreal as it is real that you're gone.” “If that makes sense, but none of this still makes any sense,” he added. 

“34..I could just hear you saying 'Ah, I'm old AF now!' Ha...Rest easy old lady...,” Dorsey wrote. In the accompanying photo, he and Rivera are all smiles as Josey peacefully sleeps in her arms. 

After Naya Rivera's death was confirmed by the Ventura County Medical Examiner, her family released a statement. “We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey, and our family over the past week,” they said. “While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter, and sister.”

The statement continued, “Thank you to the men and women of the Ventura, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Departments for your commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya. We extend endless gratitude and ovation to the heroine who found her. Thank you to her friends, colleagues, and fans for your continuous support. Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time.” 

Her Glee costars also released touching statements around this time, with Amber Riley writing, “#NayaRivera I’m so mad the world will never see how high you could have soared. Her brain was brilliant. She was smart and as quick as a whip. Always had me in stitches, we would be in tears laughing so hard at one another…I’ve cried until my tear ducts have dried out, now it’s time to celebrate the fact that us mere humans got to experience walking through life with an earth angel. Rest well. I pray you found the peace we all are searching for.”

Originally Appeared on Glamour