Ileana Ortega Lugo, 89 years old, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2020. Ileana was born in the Dominican Republic on July 8, 1930 and immigrated to America in her early teens. She settled in Manhattan with her mother. One fateful New Year’s Eve, she met the love of her life, Oscar Lugo. Oscar proposed the following New Year’s Eve and married his sweetheart in 1953. Life took them to homes in Queens and Rockland where they happily raised their two sons, Richard and James. Their love for travel took them through America, Europe and South America making friends everywhere they visited. After retiring, they built their dream log home in the Catskill Mountains where they loved gardening, cooking, skiing, and watching Novellas. Although she missed Oscar after his passing in November 2000, Ileana loved being “Abu” to her grandchildren, Nicholas, Amanda, Jillian, Krista, Christian and Julia. That love was shared as “Tia” with her nephews and nieces. She was the best mother-in-law to Karen (Doherty) and Maria (Tirelli) always offering a helping hand. She left us with so many beautiful memories, traditions, and recipes… especially for Christmas cookies. Her laugh and smile will live on. So remember her motto, “Life is short, eat dessert first!”
Family will receive friends on Friday, March 6, from 2-4 & 6-8pm at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joe Raso Hospice Residence, 415 Buena Vista Road, New City, NY 10956.
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