Naya Rivera's Sister Nickayla Shared a Moving Tribute to the "Glee" Star

Two weeks after authorities recovered Naya Rivera’s body from Lake Piru in Ventura County, California, the actor’s sister is remembering her in a touching tribute.

On Instagram, model Nickayla Rivera shared a throwback photo with her big sister in black and white. She posted her caption letter-style, and addressed Naya directly: “Sister, There are no words to describe my love for you,” the 25-year-old wrote. “Side by side or miles apart, our connection is infinite. Our bond is unbreakable. We were complete opposites, yet simultaneously the same. The yin to my yang. I never knew that by losing you, I would find so much of you in myself.”

Naya was reported missing on Wednesday, July 9, after renting a pontoon boat with her 4-year-old son, Josey. The boy was found alone in the boat, and told authorities he and his mom had gone for a swim. Naya never made it back to the boat, and her body was recovered after a 6-day search.

“I’ve never known a life without you in it & still can’t imagine it,” Nickayla added in her caption. “My world is turned upside down. But through it all, everything we were, we are still. I’ll always look at you with the same eyes as I did when I was young.⁣ My shmaya, I’ll love you for eternity & miss you every second of my life.”

She posted a second throwback photo showing the two sisters smiling wide. Her caption to this photo was simple: “I love you.”

Naya Rivera’s Glee costars have also been sharing tributes to the late actor and singer, whose performance as Santana Lopez changed the lives of so many viewers who felt seen by her portrayal. In a similar open letter, Heather Morris reflected that Naya “constantly taught me lessons about grief, about beauty and poise, about being strong, resilient and about not giving a f*ck (but still somehow respectful). Yet, the utmost important lesson I learned most of all from you was being a consistent and loving friend. You were the first to check in, the first to ask questions, the first to listen..you cherished our friendship and I never took that for granted.”

Dianna Agron, who played head Cheerio Quinn Fabray, said that working with Naya “was a gift. There was a great deal to absorb — her work ethic, her fearlessness, her talent — supreme. Naya had a laugh that would envelop you and hold you captive. She was mesmerizing. That twinkle in her eye, her luminous smile. Naya lead with truth, humor, wit. I loved her for all of these reasons."

Naya is survived by Josey, and her family, including parents George and Yolanda, little sister Nickayla, and little brother Mychal Rivera, a football player. The creators of Glee said they are creating a college fund for Josey in his mother’s honor.