Obituary of Santiaga Fernandez-Martinez
Santiaga Fernandez Martinez, 101, of Rochester, New York, passed away peacefully on December 23rd at home surrounded by her loved ones as she wished.
Santiaga was born on September 1st, 1919 in the barrio of Caonillas Arriba in the town of Villalba, Puerto Rico. Her parents were Praxedes Marrero Miranda and Fulgencio Fernandez. Santiaga is predeceased by her husband Juan, son Luis Vidal, daughter Iris (Marrero), great-grandson Noel (Colon), and grandson William.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished by those that loved her most: children, Felix (Elsa), Angel, Carmen (Francisco) Alvarado, Ana Cruz, Miguel (Gladys), William (Wanda), Elauterio “Terry” (Gladys), Javier (Carmen), Josefina Rivera, twenty-seven grandchildren, forty-four great-grandchildren, twenty-two great-great-grandchildren, a great-great-great granddaughter, brother Pedro Fernandez, sisters Anin and Azules, many in-laws, nephews, nieces and friends.
Santiaga left Coamo, Puerto Rico with her husband Juan in 1969. She left the warm comforts of her island to build a better life here in Rochester, New York. They settled in the Northeast side of the city of Rochester with their younger children. They formed part of that early wave of families that settled in the North Clinton Puerto Rican neighborhood that grew vibrant in the late sixties and early seventies. Santiaga never left her beloved neighborhood where she has been a community treasure for over fifty years.
Santiaga was a devoted mother and doting grandmother. Her strength, love and values are exemplified in the beautiful family that she and her husband Juan raised. She will be deeply missed by her loved ones and all who were blessed to have known her.
Calling hours MONDAY 12/28/2020 3-7pm at Falvo Funeral Home, 1295 Fairport Nine Mile Pt. Rd. (Rte. 250 Webster). On TUESDAY, family and friends are asked to go directly to St. Michael’s Church (859 N. Clinton Ave.) 10 am, for the celebration of her Funeral Mass. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
