Clara M. Ocasio

Clara M. Ocasio, our cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, and faithful servant of God, was reunited in death with her beloved husband, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of love, devotion, faith, and precious memories. 

Born on December 28, 1946, in the beautiful state of West Virginia, Clara was the beloved daughter of the late Arthur and Janivee (nee McCormick) Sanney, Sr., and was one of ten children born in the family. For the 79 years that Clara was with us, she would spend countless hours creating lifelong memories with her siblings and their spouses: Loretta (Larry, deceased) Greene, Arthur "Art" Sanney, Jr., Wayne Michael Sanney (Brenda, deceased), Kenneth "Kenny" Sanney (Debbie), and the late Delores (Robert, deceased) Tackett, Dennis (Maria) Smith, Virginia (Lenny, deceased) Lubinsky, Mary (James) Duncan, and Victoria "Vicki" (Daryl, deceased) Thompson.

On a beautiful day 62 years ago, in 1964, Clara would marry the love of her life, Pablo Roldan Ocasio. Through trials and tribulations, as well as happiness and joy, the love Clara and Pablo would share was all-encompassing, and their union blessed them with three incredible daughters and son-in-laws: Wanda (Terry) Groden, Theresa (Rick) Knisely, and Paula (Chuck) McGraw.  Her love would only continue to expand when she was promoted to grandmother, with the birth of her seven beautiful grandchildren: Leisha Lovell, Patrick and Nicole McGraw, Leah and Jacob Knisely, and Rebekah and Hannah Groden; doubled with the birth of her ten great-grandchildren; and tripled just two months ago when Clara welcomed into this world her first great-great-grandchild. 

Clara loved her family deeply, but just like her beloved Pablo, her grandchildren held an especially treasured place in her heart. While her daughters remember their mother playing bingo, card games, bowling, or watching her favorite television shows such as Touched by an Angel, Murder She Wrote, and hours of the Game Show Network, her grandchildren remember a grandmother who spent countless hours laughing at the antics of Bugs Bunny. They remember playing games, crossword puzzles or learning and improving their spelling by helping her complete word searches. When asked about their grandmother playing kickball with them, one granddaughter replied, "Yeah, but idk if grandma was fond of it lol; she used to chase me around with a switch when I made her mad. I guess you can say we played tag." It was moments like that which made being part of Clara's family special, and the moments of laughter, fun, and the time spent together became cherished memories that her family will carry with them always. 

For many years, Clara worked at Viking Caulking Gun, Inc., a job she took seriously. However, it was the job that she held after she retired that meant more to those who knew Clara best. That job was her part-time job at Burger King, where she worked the breakfast period. Knowing her customers very well, including their likes, wants, and needs, was meaningful to Clara, and her loved ones would always delight in hearing stories about her customers. Once, she even shared a story of her silent, charitable generosity when a group of firemen told her about some sheds that they had built in the neighborhood for the local homeless community, and Clara responded by getting blankets to help make the sheds warmer for those in need--something her children knew nothing about until later. 

Outside of her family, her faith was also an important and enduring part of her life. Just like Pablo, Clara was a faithful member of the West 58th Street Church of God for forty-four years. She served her church with love and compassion, focusing on the children of the congregation by assisting with the children's church ministry and serving as the Sunday School secretary. In addition, she would play for the church's softball team, which she enjoyed very much.  

Clara will always be treasured for the love she showed her family, her steadfast faith, and her generous heart. The world was always brighter with Clara's presence in it, and is now dimmer because of her passing. Her life was a blessing to all whom she touched, and her family and friends will always treasure the memories created by a woman truly loved and truly blessed. 

After 79 beautiful years on this earth, Clara passed away surrounded by family on October 27, 2026, in Westlake, Ohio. 

The family will receive friends THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026, FROM 4-6 PM AT THE W. 58 ST. CHURCH OF GOD, 3150 W. 58 ST. (one block South of Clark Ave.) where Services will be held at 6 PM.

Arrangements entrusted to Slone & Co. Funeral Directors.