Anita Marie Acosta

October 15, 1970—June 10, 2011

Anita Marie Acosta, known to family and friends as “Neet-Neet” was born to unity of Anita and Roosevelt Jackson. She was born on October 15, 1970 at Jacobi Medical Center. She was raised in the Bronx with her older sister, Claudia (“Chyna”) and two younger brothers, Roosevelt Douglas and Curtis. Anita loved being named after her mother and having her big brown eyes, was “daddy’s girl”, looked up to her sister, and mentored her brothers.

Anita was a bright and pleasant student who teachers admired and adored. Although, usually one of the smaller students in the class, she left a big impression on them, even graduated Student of the Year in 6th grade! As a teenager, she was already goal-oriented and loved to look distinguished. She was probably the only student attending Roosevelt High School wearing a two-piece suit and stilettos! She took pride in her early work ethics, enabling her to contribute to the household at the tender age of 16. Her very first job was at Walker & Bailey Law Office, initially part-time after school, then full-time upon high school graduation for 7 years. Continuing in the law field, she went on to work for Krez & Peisner, LLP, for 6 years, where her proficient and diligent work lead to her position as office manager. Her final employment was at Wilson-Elser Law firm until she became ill in 1999.

She had a passion for Law and enjoyed TV shows like Law & Order, I-Detective and loved her some Judge Judy! She also enjoyed CSI, Forensic Files, Court TV, and Americas Most Wanted. Her favorite music was oldies but goodies, the kind of music that got her here! Favorite movie was Cooley High. No matter how many times she watched, she’d cry at the end when the song “it’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday” played. A song now dedicated to her.

Although Anita didn’t party much, her sister and cousin managed to get her out one night where she met and fell in love with Ricardo Acosta. It was love at first site for the two and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They were married a year later on March 16, 1996. Sadly, their 15th wedding anniversary was spent this year in the hospital with her husband, Ricardo, at her bedside (“for better or for worse…in sickness and in health”). If you know Anita, you’d know that her wedding day was the happiest day of her life!

Her family was her everything! As a mother, she schooled her two daughters, Jennifer and Regine (ages 21 & 13), motivating and keeping it real with them. She made them comfortable in knowing that she was open to talk about anything, loving and accepting them as they are.

She was extremely fortunate and blessed to have a mother and father-in-law like Taty and Angel, who loved and cared for her so much, like the daughter they never had. They went above and beyond to be there for her in her time of need. It’s crystal clear why she was so fond of them and the feeling was definitely mutual. Her brother-in-law, Angel, Jr., likes to joke that her favorite Spanish words were “Ay Dios Mio!” meaning “Oh my God!”, as she truly doted on being “Mrs. Acosta”!

On June 10, 2011, a lil before 3 am, Anita Marie Acosta was called home by her Heavenly Father. She fought a good fight and now her suffering is over! She leaves to celebrate her memory. . .her husband, Ricardo, 2 daughters, Jennifer and Regine, pet bird, Rico, mother, Anita Ann, father, Roosevelt, 1 sister, Claudia, 2 brothers, Roosevelt D and Curtis, maternal grandmother, Ruth, mother-in-law, Taty, father-in-law, Angel, brother-in-law, Angel, Jr., sister-in-law, Yolanda, 6 nieces, 5 nephews and a hosts of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and co-workers!

Arrangements under the direction of Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home, New York, NY.