Lydia Josephine Ocana

Our mother Lydia Josephine Ocana, 82, or as most people knew her as "Josie" entered into eternal rest on December 24, 2020. She came into the world on November 25, 1938 to Juan (Tony) and Inacita Quintana in Questa, New Mexico. She married Armando (Tony) Ocana in 1957 and they had three children; Bernadette (Steve) Atencio, Glen (Sharon) Ocana and Jeffrey (June) Ocana. She was a stay at home mom and wife before pursuing classes in Early Childhood Education. She loved working with children and educated 3-4 year olds in the state headstart program for 25 years including her first granddaughter.

Josie was a perfectionist in everything she did and was very creative taking up hobbies in ceramics, petit-point, painting, weaving, sewing, and other craft projects. She loved dancing and working in her flower beds. She was well known by the family for her great Mexican food and together with Tony created the first traveling food truck in Denver titled "Ocana's Mexican Food". She had a heart of gold and her caring and nurturing spirit for her family was immeasurable. Some of our most memorable times were our many family camping trips and travels to California to visit family. As the second oldest sibling, she was a leader, brave and curious soul. She took the bull by the horns and got things done. Josie loved to laugh and had a joyous, hardy, contagious laugh and beautiful smile. Believe it or not, she was a little jokester, pulling small pranks on her children and grandchildren.

The last 14 years of her life, Josie battled dementia. As time went on she declined little by little losing physical functions one at a time. She continued to pray her rosary daily even as her words turned to jibber jabber. Her strength was unbelievable as she fought to retain her independence. As the independence diminished, she regressed to a childlike innocence. Her faith was strong and true and in her last moments opening her eyes wide with tears in her eyes looked to heaven as if seeing a beatific vision hearing the words "well done good and faithful servant".

Josie is survived by her children Bernadette (Steve) Atencio, Glen (Sharon) Ocana and Jeffrey (June) Ocana. She is also survived by her sisters Ramona (Alex) Martinez, Marie Saiz, Louise (Alex) Perez and brother Candido (Maria) Quintana; eight grandchildren Antoinette (Manuel) Martinez, Zachary Urioste, Dominic (Angelique) Hilbourn, Jeffrey Dominguez, Andre' Dominguez, Monique Gonzales, Greg Gonzales, and Marcelino Ocana; seventeen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Josie was preceded in death by her husband Armando (Tony) Ocana, parents Juan (Tony) and Inacita Quintana; sister Elizabeth Romero, and nieces Cheryl Gonzales and Michelle Martinez.

To share a memory of Josie or leave a message of condolence for her family, visit the guestbook below.