Emily (Ortiz) Bonefont

Emily Ortiz Bonefont of Worcester, MA passed away peacefully on March 15^th, 2024.

Emily was born on May 28, 1943, in Vieques, Puerto Rico to Gregoria Ortiz and Candido Carrasquillo. She was the first Latina activist and community liaison to serve underserved residents in the city of Worcester during her tenure with the Prospect House. She was a long-time employee and highly favored Nurse’s Aide at the Lincoln Nursing Home. 

If she wasn’t in the kitchen whipping up her best dishes, she would be reading the Telegram & Gazette and her favorite gossip magazines, watching her favorite soap operas, traveling to New York and Virginia spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved dearly.

Sadly, in addition to her parents, Emily was predeceased by her son, Osvaldo Acevedo, her grandsons, David Anthony Bonefont, David Bonefont Jr, Richie Acevedo and her great grandson, Jason Garcia Jr.

Emily is survived by her beloved children, Elizabeth Acevedo, Rosemarie Acevedo, Virginia Moreira, Gloria Anderson, Eugene Agosto, Joseph Quinones, David Bonefont, Raphael Bonefont, and Christine Bonefont and her 33 loving grandchildren and 32 loving great grandchildren. She is survived by her two siblings, her brother Eugene Cepeda, sister Carmen Lazarini and her nieces and nephews-as well as her adored Chihuahua, Roscoe.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, from 12:00PM to 3:00PM at MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. A Funeral Service will begin at 3:00PM. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Emily’s memory to:

Aid Another: A Nonprofit Organization founded by her granddaughter Christine Ross dedicated to promoting inclusivity for families with individuals with special needs and disabilities through their comprehensive programs. https://www.aidanother.com- and 

GEAR Recovery Inc., A Nonprofit Organization founded by her granddaughter Jazmine Garcia which focuses on healing children and families who want to rebuild, gain education, and recover from their experiences with substance use and mental health disorders through Guidance, Education, Advocacy and Resources. https://gearrecovery.org.