Octavia Hyacinth Larcus was born as on November 13, 1934 as a twin in beautiful Island of Christiansted, St. Croix V.I to Jerome Sylvester Larcus and Ida Mae Springer who preceded her in death. Her twin sister was Delores. She had an older Sister, Sylvia who passed away a few months after birth from Rheumatic fever. Her brother Joseph Macintosh resided in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1955 she relocated to NYC where her beloved twin Dolores and her father Jerome were already residing. Both siblings preceded her in death. On December 31,1957, Octavia married Harold Flemister who also preceded her in death.
Religion and worship were very important to Octavia. Octavia’s children’s religious upbringing came from attending Elmendorf Reformed Church where she worked and served in various capacities including their youth programs. She would later move on to attend the Church of the Living Hope where she was equally involved and served on their board.
In 1972 Octavia moved to James Weldon Johnson Houses where she served as an officer on the tenant patrol for many years while also serving in the auxiliary police department of NYPD retiring as a lieutenant. She was so very proud of this achievement and said if she could have, she would have become a Police Officer.
Octavia accomplished something she was unable to do when she was younger and that was going back to school and obtaining her GED. She was able to obtain a position at Louise Wise Services. She worked there for 20 years providing guidance to teenage Mothers and their children and serving as a consultant after retiring.
Always the doting Grandma, she loved and enjoyed her grandchildren, taking care of and forming a close bond especially with Erick, Bryan and Juaquin who she took care of while her daughter Faith worked.
She then moved to the Stanley Isaacs Houses where she is affectionately known as 'The Mayor'. Everyone in the neighborhood came to know Ms. Octavia for her smile and outgoing personality. She was known to always be ready to help her neighbors.... always! Octavia also had a great fondness for the neighborhood dogs, always carrying treats for them.
In 2016 she suffered a stroke leaving her primarily wheelchair bound as well with memory problems and a diagnosis of vascular dementia. Despite this challenge she strived to be as independent as was possible. She was very proud of all the things she was still able to do. She now needed a daytime caretaker and after many, many trials two home health aides were found, Yareli Gomez and Rajdai Roopnarayan (Dolly) who she loved and who cared for her as though she was part of their own family.
She thrived on activity and entertainment. She enjoyed being outdoors and attending her neighborhood Senior Center, Stanley Isaacs. She looked forward to the outings her daughter, Kathleen took her to, whether that was going shopping at Target, or taking a trip to Bay Plaza. She received immense pleasure from going to Broadway shows and listening to live music at the park or in local venues. The restaurant trips would occasionally include drinking a pina colada.
Under the ever-watchful eyes of her grandson and overnight caregiver Erick (Ben) she peacefully passed away on Monday, April 15th, 2024.
Octavia is loved and remembered by her Son Angelo (Marlyne), daughters, Kathleen, Jeanette (Richard), Stephanie (Paul) and Faith, along with her grandchildren: Angelo Jr., David, Vilma, Jeanette, Octavia, Angelo, Wendy, Lindsay, Paul Jr., Michael, David, Erick (Ben), Bryan and Juaquin, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces especially Yvonne Able, nephews and friends and will be greatly missed.
A visitation for Octavia will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home, 352 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128, followed by a funeral service from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
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