John Bligh
- Social Worker
Magdalena Ocampo Franco spent 20 years as a bilingual social worker, advocating for children with special needs and their families.
She spent eight years working in city schools and districts, including two years at PS 315 in Brooklyn, in 2009-2010 and again in 2013-2014. She was a UFT member for 20 years.
But for most of her career, Magdalena worked for the city Department of Education’s Committees on Special Education, explaining to families, including Spanish-speaking ones, why their children had referrals for special education. She observed and assessed children in their classrooms to evaluate their needs.
Magdalena, 46, died of coronavirus on April 16.
“She put everyone before herself,” said colleague Jasmine Young, citing Magdalena’s concern for students and their families. Diana Diaz-Torres said her friend “will be sorely missed.”
Known to her friends as Maggie, she was a graduate of Columbia University’s School of Social Work.
Magdalena is survived by her husband Robert Franco, sons Jonathan and David, father Cipriano Ocampo and brothers Andres and Manuel Ocampo.
Condolences may be sent to:
Ocampo and Franco Family
1956 E. 16th St.
Brooklyn, New York 11229
Magdalena may you rest in peace. You were such a sweet and gentle person with the kindest family. To the O’Campo- Franco please accept my condolences and know that Madalena will always be in our memory. I will miss you.
I wish to pay my respect to you and your family Roberto and give my deepest condolences for your lost. My prays go out to you and your love ones.
Dearest Ocampo and Franco families:
It is with much sadness tonight that I read the name of my former student as one of the UFT Honorees in Memoriam of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our hearts go out to the entire family.
Maggie is now with her beautiful Mom, two of God’s angels.
Rest In Peace, Maggie. You were a model daughter, student, wife, mom, and teacher.
With our sincerest condolences,
Jo Ann & Peter CHESTER & family
On behalf of the Franco and Ocampo families I would like to thank all our friends and colleagues for their kind words and gesture. My wife was a great mom, daughter, wife, friend and colleague. Thank you all for your beautiful messages.
Roberto,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I am so very sorry for your loss…though she left you way too soon…Rejoice for she is with God now!
My condolences to you and your family. I was devastated to hear about Mrs. Franco passing. Although I never met her in person, I can remember how every time I spoke to Mr. Franco he would talk about his wife and family. They were always going on the best vacations, trips and excursions. I can’t begin to imagine how the family feels but I share the pain.
Mr. Franco, if I can be of help in any way please call upon me.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family,Roberto. Rest in peace Magdalena.
My condolences to you and your family. Always keep her shining bright in your memories and hold her close to your hearts. Rest in peace.
My sister-in-law lives on in our hearts, in our memories of her and will be with us always.
Maggy,
It has been two weeks since we received the news. I am still in shock and in disbelief that my dearest friend, my sister is gone. My heart is broken but I understand that your journey on this earth was fulfilled. You gave us your unconditional love and support that lit everyone’s life. Now, you continue your journey with our heavenly father until we meet again.
Thank you my friend for the years of friendship. Your listening ear and your compassion will be missed but thank you most for giving us such beautiful extension of yourself, your beautiful boys. May they continue to live your legacy on this earth. Living life with such gratitude and peace for what our good Lord has given us.
Recordar es fácil para el que tiene memoria. Olvidar es difícil para quien tiene corazón- Gabriel Garcia Marquez
I did not meet Magdalena until our second year undertaking graduate studies at Columbia University. Suffice to say, Magdalena taught me more about morality, compassion and unconditional giving than any syllabus.
In retrospect, I realize I nearly did not meet such a lovely human being who elucidated paths of ignorance with the seamless incentive of dignified example.
A group of Latino students almost did not realize their dream of attending an Ivy League institution as the Department of Education scholarship program claimed funds were not available at the last minute. I was ready to move on until my girlfriend at the time insisted that I write a letter to then Chancellor Rudy Crew. I recall how we drove to the 24 hour LaGuardia airport mail facility in order to send a registered letter.
Two days later, I was summoned to Columbia University and I thought I was in trouble as the Dean wanted to speak to me. I was informed that the bilingual candidates received the scholarship given my efforts. I recall having a beer to celebrate and realized how miracles take place. It was not until the second year at Columbia that I began to meet some of the individuals who were shocked to receive an invitation to start the semester. These prospective students withdrew as they realized they could not afford the tuition, let alone room and board expenses.
When I registered for Professor Nestor Baez’ Latino contexts class, I met Magdalena and she and I bonded as we were both caregivers. I did not realize I was a caregiver until Magdalena asked the right questions in an elegant and non-intrusive manner. Given our shared life experience, the professor insisted that we engage in a joint end of term research study. Given Magdalena’s perceptive intelligence, the professor had to ask the administration for permission to give us an A+. The only reason that distinction took place was because of Magdalena.
Magdalena inspired the class to realize statistics reflect human stories. Further, she was not the type of person who would provide an audience for conversations characterized by gossip, innuendo or hyperbole. If she had something good to say, statements were always intertwined with recognition, collective respect and bona fide love.
Magdalena was a source of expansively healing light. May the luminosity of eternal peace eternally embrace the purity of her soul.
My dearest Magdalena you played a significant part in my life and I can’t imagine you not being here. Magadlena was one of the sweetest, caring, and loving person that I have had the pleasure of knowing. She was always willing to help anyone. Magadlena was passionate about helping the families that she worked with and supporting her colleagues whenever needed.
You were my friend, in whom I confided in, my co worker with whom I could discuss any issues clinical issue with and most importantly you became part of my family.
You have left me with wonderful memories of our friendship together and I will value it forever. I know that you will be with me forever and I will never forget your smile, our talks and your laugh. I love you and I will miss you terribly.
The Beautiful Magdalena,
It has taken me a bit of time to process the passing of someone I esteemed and loved so much. My heart is broken and it will take time to heal.
I wish to express what Magdalena meant to me not only as a colleague but as one of my most dearest friends.
Magdalena was …
The shady tree in the meadow that offered a calming breeze.
A radiant splendor that shined when darkness lurked.
The beautiful blue green ocean whose breeze gives tranquility and peace.
A beautiful earthly angel.
She shared her most precious gift which was love with everyone around her. She gave without ever expecting anything in return. What a beautiful spirit!
Mi Hermanita, little sister, as I would call her, will be missed so much. For right now, there is the emptiness of not only a sister but my dear friend within me.
Rest in peace, mi hermanita, for the angels in heaven rejoiced and sang songs of joy in your presence.
My heart is truly broken. Magdalena, I will always miss you.
My sincerest condolences to Robert, the boys, and the rest of the family.
I called her Maggie..she didn’t like that name.. but she looked like a Maggie. She was the most understanding Social Worker, very intelligent very patient, very conscientious, she had the most beautiful hair, two beautiful sons, a good husband and her parents were always there to babysit the kids while she worked. We worked at the School Based Support Team Office at PS 139 together with Dalia Maxwell as our School Psychologists , Magdalena Ocampo Franco as our Social Worker, Alfred Brown, Family Worker and myself. We spent a few great years working together as a TEAM. They were memorable years because we had the best Social Worker and School Psychologist. When you have a TEAM like that, it’s pleasant going into work each and everyday with no regrets whatsoever. They taught me a lot while working with them. They gave me support and confidence in myself among other things. Maggie, I will miss you, and a million other people as well. Love, Franny
You did not have to work with “Chavita” as her family called her, to know she was a very special person. Got to know her personally and she had a hearth of gold. Her love and devotion to her family was inmensed and it reflected in the type of work she did. May her soul rest in peace and may God comfort the family. She will be remember with love.
Magdalena was the total package. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, Social Worker, co-worker and most of all, a friend. As busy as she was, she always found the time to inquire as to how you were doing, offer support, advice, guidance and most of all love. Magdalena will be sorely missed by all who knew her and whose lives she touched.
It’s really unbelievable to me to be writing a memorial for you. You were one of the last people I spoke to before I left the office before shutting down and preparing for quarantine. We had chats and shared a few laughs throughout the day. We were all just helping each other cope. You were always so genuine, kind and warm. You radiated these things in your being. I’m fortunate to have met you and even though we did not know each other very long, you are someone who will be in my memory forever. Rest in peace hermosa…que descanses. Dios te bendiga.
I will truly miss the beautiful person Magdalena was. It was only three weeks ago that we were texting each other back and forth. She was a very caring, warm and encouraging person. She was an extremely dedicated professional to her students and colleagues. Magdalena was a very devoted mother to her sons. I feel truly blessed to have known her. My deepest condolences go out to her husband Robert, sons Jonathan and David and her dad. May God give them strength in this time of sorrow and pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. Her presence made this world a better place. I will miss her greatly. R.I.P. dear Magdalena !
My condolences to her family. She will be missed. Thank you Maggie for having such a beautiful heart. RIP.
I worked in the same office building in a different department as Magdelena. She always greeted me with a warm smile and a big hello. I had the privilege of teaching her older some a few years back. What a fierce advocate for her boys. She was caring and so appreciative of the teachers that taught her children. My heart goes out to her husband and sons. I will miss her and her smile. Rest in Peace Maggie.
I worked with her at CSE Flatlands for only a short time. Whenever I needed to ask her a social worker question, she never refused! I am very blessed to have meet her! As a social worker, I am sadden to say we lost a very beautiful soul in this profession! RIP
Our sincerest condolences to Maggie’s family, friends and loved ones. Let our memories of her, her husband and her sons remind everyone how special of a person we lost.
Eternal rest grant unto her O’Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
From our years at Columbia University and throughout our years as Bilingual School Social Workers Maggie always gave her exceptional best. We supported each other and bounced ideas about our practice. I will miss our conversations. You are truly missed. Forever in my heart friend. Rest In Peace.
Magdalena was a very special human being
Always smiling, always in a good mood and ready to help others
You could tell that this was a genuine good individual
We feel the sadness that her family feels
We will dearly miss her.
Her memory will bless us all
Rest in peace dear friend. We love you and we will not forget you
Dr and Mrs. Victor Navarro and staff
A wonderful person caring , loving , always had a beautiful smile and time for everyone. I’m going to miss my best friend my sister. Many blessings to her family.
My condolences to the family. I was lucky to have worked with Magdalena. She will always be remembered as a kind and caring person.
She was a very lovely person. I had the pleasure of working with Maggie at P.S. 315. Rest in Peace.
She was a lovely person. I worked with her at P.S. 315. I am so sorry to read this.
I worked with Magdelena at PS139. She always had a kind word to say about everyone. She was hardworking and loved her students and their families. I am very sad to learn of her passing. To her family, I leave my deepest condolences. Maggie will be missed. May she rest in eternal peace.
I had the pleasure of knowing Magdalena from PS 139. She was much respected professionally and beloved personally by all of us. My deepest condolences to her family. Heartbreaking.
A very kind advocate for students, a genuine dear woman. May your family be comforted.
Lovely woman and fondly remembered colleague. May she Rest In Peace
I will miss you tons my friend. Rest in sweetest peace…
An amazing human being gone to soon but will always be remembered. May God cover and bless her family as they mourn. Rest In Peace Maggie. You are truly missed.