Magdalena Elizabeth Ocampo Franco

* Social Worker

Magdelana 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, Magdelana 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.

Magdelana, 46, died on April 16.

“She put everyone before herself,” said colleague Jasmine Young, citing Magdelana’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.

Magdelana 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