Elisa Cortes-DeJesus

CORTES-DeJESUS- Of Saugus, October 13th, Elisa. Wife of Jose Ocasio. Devoted mother of Jose Otero and his companion Colleen Lewis and Elsa Otero and her companion Esteban Caraballo. Beloved sister of Maggie Paris and Eduardo Paris both of Puerto Rico and the late Enrique Paris and Victor DeJesus. Cherished grandmother of Angel Andrades, Alexandria Andrades, Cristian Alas, Rosario Alas and Dante Otero. Also lovingly survived by her great grandson Xavier Ferreira as well as many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral from the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Thursday, October 18th at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Rose Church, 600 Broadway, Chelsea at 10 o'clock. Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4-7 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Riverside Cemetery, Saugus. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions in her name be made to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923.

Elisa Cortes DeJesus was born on May 10, 1949 in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. She spent her early years on the island and met her husband, Jose Otero Valentin in the city of Santurce, Puerto Rico.  They had two children, Jose Otero Jr. and Elsa Otero.  She moved off the island after her divorce and settled in Chelsea in the early 70's. She worked and put herself through school to earn a masters degree in education from Antioch University. She became a social worker and an advocate for the Hispanic community. She was also employed by the city of Chelsea and then by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where she worked in the Department of Transitional Assistance for many years. She was also involved with the Puerto Rican festival committee for several years. She lived in Chelsea most of her life and eventually moved to Saugus in 2009 with her husband of 19 years, Jose Ocasio. 

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