Clara "Cookie" Ocasio, 80, a Beacon resident since 1965, formerly of Manhattan and Puerto Rico, died at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie on Tuesday, September 6, 2011.
Born in San German, Puerto Rico on December 20, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Teleforo Ocasio and Margarita Vega. In 1950, she married Angel Ramon Acosta in Puerto Rico. Cookie was predeceased by her husband in 1994.
She served as a social worker for the Beacon Opportunity Center for 15 years until its closing. Cookie became the Center's first bilingual employee to assist with the local Hispanic community.
She was a dedicated parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church in Beacon, where she was a member of the prayer group Corazón Sagrado. Cookie also enjoyed watching baseball and basketball, and was an avid New York Yankees and Los Angeles Lakers fan.
She is survived by her two sons, Angel R. Acosta & his wife Milta of Milford, PA and Nelson Acosta of Beacon; her grandchildren, Angel R. Acosta, Jr. and Amy Acosta, both of Milford, PA; her great-grandsons, Kane, Ty, James, and Aiden; her sister, Margarita Jiminez & her husband Antonio of Beacon and Nelson Ocasio & his wife Anna of Fishkill; also many nieces, nephews, and many other loving family members and friends.
In addition to her husband, Cookie was also predeceased by many beloved sisters and brothers.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday at St. John the Evangelist Church, 31 Willow Street, Beacon. Interment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.