Catalina Santiago Vega Funeral & Memorial Fund
Donation protected
It is with great sadness we announce that Catalina Santiago Vega has moved on from this life. Catalina was a mother of 7 (Frank, David, Richie, William, Milly Santiago, Darlene Hancock and Arlene Tessitore), our dearest Abuela and a great-grandmother. She celebrated her 83rd birthday on April 30th. Unfortunately, in the early hours of May 5th, her body could not keep up with her big loving spirit.
Abuela is an amazing being and always will be. Her main priority in life was family. Because of this, she was the best mom, a loving grandparent, and a great wife. As a mom, she would emphasize the importance of “estar siempre juntos” meaning “always be together,” and to never forget to check up on one another. She said to always offer someone a warm meal and a place to stay when they need it. Her drive was to help anyone she could. And, she did.
As the glue of the family, Catalina taught us how to be strong and go through any storm. Catalina taught us faith and belief in better days. Catalina was fiercely independent and always found a way to move forward in any situation. She was as gentle and loving as a mom could be, and as fierce a fighter as any situation needed her to be. Abuela was Latin fire right to the end! With this, she inspired others to be true to themselves and never give up.
Abuela represented HOME. Home was when you had “pan caliente con café” with her, and it meant you were there to talk at the table and enjoy stories. Home was when she served you "arroz con habichuelas" (rice & beans) and meant you were going to have a full belly and plenty of laughs. Home was when she did not want you to leave and offered you another plate to eat. Home was when she was sooo happy to have the grandkids stay with her, and she would spend all day playing with them, caring for them, and loving them: and doing it all over again the next day with just the same amount of love. Home was cuddling in her arms and her giving you kisses as though you had never grown up. Home was knowing where her secret stash of marshmallow circus peanuts and lollipops were, and that she did not mind sharing. Home was throwing big family parties at her house and people spilling into the hallway because so many people loved her. Home is her always being the center of our universe.
Know that we will always be proud to have known you Abuela.
Please help us honor Catalina's memory, under these trying times, with a donation toward her services so that we can make this as beautiful and special as she was. If you want to mail a card, please click "Contact" on this page, and send me a message, and I can send you the address. You can also click "Contact" to leave your address so we can send you a Memorial Card.
Love,
Milly, Arlene and Darlene
Abuela is an amazing being and always will be. Her main priority in life was family. Because of this, she was the best mom, a loving grandparent, and a great wife. As a mom, she would emphasize the importance of “estar siempre juntos” meaning “always be together,” and to never forget to check up on one another. She said to always offer someone a warm meal and a place to stay when they need it. Her drive was to help anyone she could. And, she did.
As the glue of the family, Catalina taught us how to be strong and go through any storm. Catalina taught us faith and belief in better days. Catalina was fiercely independent and always found a way to move forward in any situation. She was as gentle and loving as a mom could be, and as fierce a fighter as any situation needed her to be. Abuela was Latin fire right to the end! With this, she inspired others to be true to themselves and never give up.
Abuela represented HOME. Home was when you had “pan caliente con café” with her, and it meant you were there to talk at the table and enjoy stories. Home was when she served you "arroz con habichuelas" (rice & beans) and meant you were going to have a full belly and plenty of laughs. Home was when she did not want you to leave and offered you another plate to eat. Home was when she was sooo happy to have the grandkids stay with her, and she would spend all day playing with them, caring for them, and loving them: and doing it all over again the next day with just the same amount of love. Home was cuddling in her arms and her giving you kisses as though you had never grown up. Home was knowing where her secret stash of marshmallow circus peanuts and lollipops were, and that she did not mind sharing. Home was throwing big family parties at her house and people spilling into the hallway because so many people loved her. Home is her always being the center of our universe.
Know that we will always be proud to have known you Abuela.
Please help us honor Catalina's memory, under these trying times, with a donation toward her services so that we can make this as beautiful and special as she was. If you want to mail a card, please click "Contact" on this page, and send me a message, and I can send you the address. You can also click "Contact" to leave your address so we can send you a Memorial Card.
Love,
Milly, Arlene and Darlene
Organizer and beneficiary
Arlene Tessitore (Santiago)
Organizer
Chelsea, MA
Miriam Santiago
Beneficiary