Maria Santos
March 31, 1928 ~ June 8, 2018
Maria Santos, 90, of Hamden, passed away on June 8, 2018 at CT Hospice in Branford. She was born in Ciales, Puerto Rico on March 31, 1928 to the late Deograsio LaLuz and Isidria Rodriguez. She is survived by her daughters Iris, Aida, Damari Santos, Maritza Santos-Pernal and husband John Pernal, and Idalia 'Rosie' Santos; sons Jose, Angelo, and Moises Santos, and her sister Carmen 'Margie' LaLuz. Maria is also survived by 14 grandchildren; Melissa, Jason, Joshua, Joy, Jessica, Maxton, Christina, Amy, Peter, Alex and his wife Augustina, Gabriella, Nicole and husband Pedro, Justin, and Jenna and husband Alex, 7 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Our Mom was happiest when the grandchildren were around, they truly were the loves of her life. She spoiled them with hugs & kisses and of course her cooking-how they loved Abuelita/Mima's cooking! Her spanish red rice, a.k.a. yellow rice, was a big hit. Mom also made a great cup of spanish coffee. We don't think anyone else will ever be able to perfect her spanish food or coffee recipes, but will always remember how much pleasure Mom took in cooking for her family. If you planned a visit she would have your favorite dish prepared, and took great pleasure in making sure everyone was fed-because this means love in our household. Mom worked numerous jobs to provide for her family; factory jobs, cleaning jobs, and never ever complained-well, not to her family anyway. She was a very kind person, very caring and loved by many people. Mom would take in boarders, family members, friends, or friends of friends; it didn't matter who you were, if you needed somewhere to stay or live she was the go-to person. She opened her heart and home to many and never complained, again at least not to her family LOL! Mom loved music and dancing, she would put on her Vinyl records and blast the songs. She'd dance to merengue, pachanga and salsa music. We will remember how she moved her hips and shoulders; she had a very unique dance style, just as unique as she was. We will miss her. To our dear Mom: God saw you getting tired, When a cure was not to be. So He wrapped his arms around you, and whispered, 'Come to Me.' You didn't deserve what you went through, So He gave you rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best. And when we saw you sleeping, So peaceful and free from pain, We could not wish you back to suffer that again. Thank you to the CT Hospice staff for taking care of mom in her final days, especially to Brittany, Ann, Ana Maria, Vivian, Cristina, and Maria; these beautiful ladies took excellent care of mom. Some provided her hospice care, others provided companionship, they will always have a special place in our hearts, we are forever grateful. Also thank you to Nurse Lois and Social Worker Mary who patiently listened and provided guidance. Sincerely, the Santos family. A service celebrating Maria's life will be held on Tuesday, June 12 at 11 a.m. in Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Friends may visit with her family from 10-11 a.m. Interment will be held in Whitneyville Cemetery, Hamden.
Few of my favorites I meant to write *
From your daughter iris and precious great granddaughter Joliany we love you very much to the moon to the stars to the universe. Big part of my life and heart has been taken away but I know you’re in a better place with no pain with GOD..zorrito Barbie and Joliany and me love u very much te quiero mucho mucho i miss ypu very much I will always miss you.. but I know you are watching over us and protecting us we have the best guardian Angel.. you didn’t deserve the pain u went thru u were the best and most beautiful mother ever always took care of us we never went hungry homeless we had everything even though we had very little u always found and made a way for us. Te quiero con todo mi alma y Corazon bendicion I miss that word bendicion and you saying it to us .. mi angelita.. love iris Joli Zorro and Barbie xoxoxoxoxoxo
I love you so much Mima ! You were THE best grandmother in the world i swear! No one can take your place. You are one of a kind and a very unique and free spirit that everyone adored and loved to death! You always took care of me since I was born and you loved me so much! You always made me eat lol even if I wasn’t hungry you would make a plate of rice and beans for me and make me eat it! Saying -come Jenna come – (eat in Spanish) or when I was little and would sleep over you would wake up early while Titi slept to make me my favorite breakfast! The cream of wheat. I’m sure gonna miss that. No offense to my mom or Titi but no one can make that bowl of oatmeal like you! Or when you used to say -I go take a bath- or -wowwwww- or -donde esta la nena – I remember your sweet voice in my head as if you were right there in front of me- or me and you watching -La Rosa De Guadalupe- together and I had no idea what was going on but just sitting with u knowing that show made you happy was fine with me! I love you so much Mima. I’m glad you got to live a long healthy and wonderful life! You deserved it! And you made such an big impact on mine and Jolianys life! I could literally write a whole entire encyclopedia 3 times about you and our relationship.. but these are a few of my factories. I have the best guardian angel now and thank you for showing me you are with me last night! You’re the brightest star in the sky. I miss you so much Mima and I will continue to make u proud .. I won’t ever let you down xoxo mi reina siempre !!! Forever !! Until we meet again . Fly high beautiful soul. Te quiero mucho mucho Mima bendicion sweet angel of mine !
Jenna Joliany Alex & MY MIMA
My dearest abuelita, you have always had the biggest heart. From always giving hugs and kisses with a big smile whenever I came to visit to making sure no guests in your home were ever hungry. You took so much joy in giving love to your children and grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, taking care of them in your home, and sending them off with blessings but abuelita, the biggest blessing was you. Whether it was when my dad John would make you laugh and smile every morning of our vacation trying to get you to dance, or when we would arrive at your home and get a big hug, or even when we’d come and visit you while you were recovering from something in the hospital, your smile and your big heart always shone through and you were never in a bad mood with your grandchildren. Even though I was always shy about it, learning Spanish in school felt like such an accomplishment because I could finally talk to you and even if I wasn’t sure how I sounded, you’d always encourage me to keep going and teach me new words. I wish I spoke to you in Spanish more often. I miss you, Abuelita. Some things I’ll always hold close to my heart are your spanish novelas and how we’d buy a subscription to the channel whenever you’d visit for a long time, your laugh because nothing felt better to hear, your cooking because let’s be honest, no one makes spanish food better than our Abuelita, your love for your dogs because even the pups knew how loving abuelita was, and all of your blessings because, well, look at our family. All those blessings really worked out for all those who asked -¿Bendicion?- and to whom you always answered -Yo te bendiga.- Te amo, abuelita, y siempre estaras en mi corazon. ¿Bendicion?
Missing you soooooo much today Mima .. I will post here everyday. I caught myself today saying -wowwwwww- just how you did miss u so freakin much my queen. I slept with your pajamas on last night .. my little abuela so cute you were. Love you & always thinking of you 24/7. Hope you’re having fun up there! Rock the heavens sweet angel of mine xoxoxo
Always thinking of you …
Hope you like the rose rosary beads for your bed tomorrow my sweet angel of mine
Maritza/John,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May your fond memories help ease the pain.
Eric, Eileen, Dylan & Andrew
Te quiero mucho mucho bendicion mi reina siempre eres en mi corazon
To our Abuelita with love
We all love you and miss you Mima xo
You looked so beautiful today Mima. You were always beautiful in my eyes obviously but today even tho your body was there and your soul wasn’t you looked at peace. And as hard as it is for me to not be selfish cause by wanting you here.. I know you’re at peace and in a better place and happy. I just wish I could see you one more time. You were literally in my life so heavily! I saw you every week since I was born. I miss you so much this is so hard for me .. my sweet angel tqm my queen 👑 see you soon beautiful xoxo