Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Yocasta Castillo Baez, 81, of New York City, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 18, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love and home-cooked meals that will always live on in her family's hearts.

Born in 1944 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to Andres Castillo and Candida Minerva Gesser, Yocasta's life was rooted in resilience, compassion, and an unshakable love for her family.

She was cherished as "Mom" by her six children: Evelyn Martinez Castillo, Sherry Gonzalez Castillo, Denise Gonzalez Castillo (preceded in death), Susan Gonzalez Castillo, Ludwig Jose Baez, and Jovanka Baez Rodriguez. Her love multiplied through the generations, blessing her with twelve grandchildren—Angie-Michelle Nieto, Chanel Denise Fernandez, Cesar Ivan Ramirez, Francheska del Rosario, Jose David Quinones, Esteban Jose Quinones, Sebastian Ricardo Ramirez, Christian Jose Baez, Isabel Adriana Rodriguez, Julian Emilio Rodriguez, Lily Luz Baez, and Damian Jorge Baez—and seven great-grandchildren: Georgio Julius Alves, Michael Angelo Bautista, Joseph Anthony Bautista, Ethan Zeus Espinal, Jazlyn Jolie Quinones, Denise Mendez Fernandez, and Nya Lynn Quinones.

Yocasta is also survived by her loving siblings, Melba Neder, Andres Castillo, and Angel Castillo, who will carry her memory forward alongside her entire family.

Yocasta lived her life with an open heart, always ready to help others, especially those in need of a meal and a kind word. To honor her memory, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, you consider donating your time or resources to a charity dedicated to feeding the hungry—continuing the work she was so passionate about.

Her presence will be missed deeply, but her spirit of generosity, faith, and love will never fade.