Miriam Soto Aponte

In life, there are loves you will never forget.

On December 14, 2011, our mother, Miriam Soto de Aponte was reunited with her loving husband. Miriam’s passing was a peaceful occasion attended by her family at her home in Oneonta, New York. Her life was rejoiced during this time through prayer and song.

Mami was beloved by the people in the communities in which she lived. She was a supervisor of nurses at the hospital in her hometown of Jayuya, Puerto Rico, where her skills were often sought. In 1959, our parents moved to Ellenville, NY where they worked and raised our family. Our mother was a caregiver and an advocate for the Hispanic people in the community; often accompanying them to appointments, translating, and providing comfort and care to all who needed her. She took excellent care of our father during his lengthy illness; relocating back to Puerto Rico so he could be with his family. When Mami was unable to care for Papi by herself, they came to live in Oneonta, NY to be closer to their children. Mami made many friends in Oneonta and she provided care, companionship, and a shoulder to lean on to all those who needed help. Mami taught us the value of family and of caring for others. She was our anchor, our most dedicated mother and grandmother. Not only was Miriam an amazing mother and grandmother to her biological children but to the many people whose hearts she touched who regarded her as their mother or grandmother.

Miriam was born on October 11, 1930 in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, to the late Antonio Soto Torres and Jovita Cintron. Miriam was sister to 5 brothers and 7 sisters. She was married to her one and only true love, the late Luis Aponte Sr. She is survived by her sister Ana Oquendo of Carolina, Puerto Rico; her daughters Teresa Rivera and husband Cesar Rivera from Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico; Arlene Zoe Aponte from Oneonta, NY; Olga Enid Aponte-Whaley and husband Edward “Bo” Whaley, of Oneonta, NY; and son, Luis Aponte Jr. and wife Barbara Roser-Aponte, of Warwick Rhode Island. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Beynor and husband Andre, Llanel, Cesar Luis, Liana and husband Michael, Emil and fiancé Amy, Brielyn and fiancé Bryan, Maya, Luis Christopher III, Tori, Justin and Kayla; and great grandchildren: Thalia, Patum, Elander and Declan; and many nieces, nephews, godchildren and beloved family.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street Oneonta, NY. Calling hours will be held at Bookhout Funeral Home on Sunday, December 18th between the hours of 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8 pm. The funeral will be held at 9:30 am on Monday, December 19th at Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church; 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta, NY; burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Oneonta, NY. Donations can be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, New York 13820. To light a candle or send an online condolence please visit www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com

Mami, Abuelita, Hermana, Tia, Madrina, y Amiga, you will be missed, never forgotten and held in our hearts forever. We love you. Bendicion y que Dios te bendiga.