Our mom, Dorothy Margaret (Sousa) Santamaria, 98, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2024. Dorothy, as she like to be called until her grandchildren renamed her Meese, was born a strong and determined premature baby on February 25, 1926, to the late Frank & Adelina (Ricci) Sousa. She lived a long and meaningful life that contributed to many, including to who we are today. We are forever grateful.
Dorothy was a graduate of High School of Commerce. Prior to bank loans and credit cards, her early career was a busy one at Public Loan. Dorothy soon met Leo, Rinaldo to some, and the love of her life; she was Dotty to him. They married in 1948, were together for 65 years, before his passing in 2013, and raised five children and one dog, JD.
Our mom loved to garden. She saved seeds, composted, and shared her produce. Indeed, her tomato seeds are scattered around the country. Dorothy loved to cook and bake. There’s a story when Leo, who loved her pie, saved the pie from falling before saving himself. Near Easter she gathered the family and taught us handmade tortellini. While boxes of recipes adorned her kitchen, she was creative to add her own touch, generally more nutritious. Guests were often greeted with homemade pizza and sauce from those tomatoes.
She loved Broadway and often attended plays with dador the neighborhood Coffee Club which she introduced to the Big Apple. She could sing like a sparrow and knew all the words.
Dorothy’s most meaningful relationship, outside her family, was with her Church. She was a communicant of both Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Catherine of Sienna. She was active in the Diocesan deanery, RCIA, a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Later in life she worked as Director of CCD at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Granby, MA.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Joanne Santamaria & husband Jim, Freihaut, Tricia Santamaria, Len Santamaria & wife Randi, MaryJane Santamaria & partner Gerald Deady,and Angela Santamaria, grandchildren, Sara & husband Gary, Than & wife Kim, Anthony & wife Cameron, Zachary, and Addie, adorable great-grandson, Sam who enjoyed her reciting poems, especially The Snowman’s Resolution, sister, Maria Norton, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Father Ransford Clarke, whom she considered a grandson, will be concelebrating her funeral Liturgy.
Lastly, mom was an election day poll worker and Warden for many years. Her message to all, “Please make sure to vote this November. I wish I could!”
All are invited to Dorothy’s 9:30 a.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial on Monday, September 9th at Mt. Carmel Church. Her 11 a.m. Committal service will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Mt. Carmel Church, 123 William St., Springfield, MA 01105.
Please visit www.TazziniFuneralHome.com for condolences.