WORCESTER - Louise S. "Cookie" Naples, age 58, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on Monday, December 3, 2007 following a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born September 26, 1949 in Bronx, NY, the sixth of eight children of Joseph A. Hagenaers and Louise C. DeMaere.

She attended PS 17 and Julia Richmond H.S. In Manhattan. On June 3, 1967, she and Paul J. Naples were united in marriage at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Worcester. The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

Louise treasured time spent with her family, especially her granddaughters. Her home was often a place for family gatherings and celebrations. Early in her marriage, she derived great joy in raising her three children. She would often take them, along with her nieces and nephews on long walks to pick berries and wild flowers; stopping along the way to watch birds, deer and other wildlife in its natural habitat; a true testament to her fond appreciation for nature. When her children were young, she loved spending summers at Titus Lake with her family, and likewise found great joy in many winter activities including snowmobiling and ice-skating. Louise fell in love with the country and the great outdoors; an environment and lifestyle far removed from her urban upbringing. She had an affinity for animals and took great pride in teaching family pets many talents. She raised horses and reveled in helping family members learn to ride. Louise adored her little Jack Russell Terrier, Jeter, who was always at her side. She also enjoyed bird watching and tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. Louise was an excellent seamstress, cook and baker. She once owned and operated a furniture upholstery business and in years past, also provided home health care for the sick and elderly. More recently she enjoyed making clothing, window dressings and personalized dolls. In the kitchen, she delighted in making hearty soups and homemade jams and baking pies and gourmet cookies. Louise always took pleasure in caring for others, and in recent years, offered personal home services for many local residents. Louise was a keen amateur photographer, rarely without her camera. She developed a passion for graphic design and over the years created a portfolio of visual family treasures.

Louise is survived by her husband, Paul J. Naples of Worcester; their three children, Dawn Burness, her husband Thomas and their daughter Justine of Manlius, NY, Paul J. Naples Jr., his wife Tina and their two daughters, Ashley and Sierra of Horseheads, NY and Justine Naples of Worcester; sisters, Ramona Craig of St. Petersburg, FL, Justine (Angelo) Pastorello of Bayonne, NJ, Victoria Evans, Mary Hagenaers and Josephine (Joseph) Styslinger all of Worcester, and Florence (Mark) Roth of Brooklyn, NY; a brother-in-law, Frederick (Jan) Naples; a sister-in-law, Helen (Raymond) Tiffany both of East Worcester. She is further survived by several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many faithful friends.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Raymond Hagenaers of Bayonne, NJ, a half-brother, Arthur Hagenaers and a half-sister, Bertha Hagenaers, both of Antwerp, Belgium, and a niece, Lynnley Evans of West Milford, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 7, 2007 at the St, Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 181 Main Street, Worcester with the Rev. Edward J. Golding as celebrant.

Burial will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Worcester.

Relatives and friends are invited to call between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 6, 2007 at the E.J. Skinner Co. Funeral Chapel , 155 Main Street, Worcester. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 p.m..

The family would like to offer a heartfelt thank-you to the entire medical staff at Bassett Healthcare, as well as Catskill Area Hospice, for their kind, loving attention.

Contributions may be made in loving memory of Louise to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.skinnerfuneralchapel.com.

The E.J. Skinner Co. Funeral Chapel in Worcester is serving the family.