Sofia Santiago, 86

Youngstown…A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica, with Rev. Msgr. Michael Cariglio officiating, for Sofia Santiago, 86, who passed away Sunday, November 18, 2018 in her home, surrounded by her family.

Sofia was born April 30, 1932, in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, the daughter of Secundino Rosa and Cesaria Ramos Diaz.

She was a parishioner of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish at Sta. Rosa De Lima Catholic Church, where she was a former member of Cursillo and Legion of Mary, and also attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica in Youngstown.

It's no surprise that Sofia was honored as mother of the year by Los Hijos de Borinquen.  Her life can be summed up in the importance of faith, family, and friends, and her love of flowers and food.  Those that knew her were privileged, and she will forever be remembered and honored by her children as a Proverbs 31 woman.  When God made Sofia, He broke the mold.

Her husband, Domingo Santiago, whom she married May 5, 1953, passed away March 1, 1984.

Sofia leaves behind to remember her forever, her children, Anthony (Jayne) Santiago of Youngstown, Lillian (Ronnie) Navarra of Poland, Evelyn (Michael) Laboy of Poland, Irving (Cristina) Santiago of Grove City, Ohio, Nancy (Robert) Brown of Marana, Arizona, Juan (Zaida) Santiago of Boardman, and Daisy (Gary) Fitch of Salem; her sisters, Petra Rosa of Humacao, Puerto Rico and Claudina Matos of Lorain; grandchildren, Julie Santiago, Sara Santiago, Sophia Santiago, Robert Brown, Dominic (Jenn) Brown, Nicholas Brown, Juan "Mingi" Domingo Santiago, David Santiago, Miguel Santiago, and Amariah Fitch and Christian Fitch.

Besides her parents; and her husband Domingo; she was preceded in death by her son, Alberto Santiago; her granddaughter, Arielle Amariah Fitch; brothers, Pedro Rosa, Pablo Rosa, Juan Rosa, and Saba Rosa; and her sister, Merquiades Crespo.

The Santiago family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home, and will receive family and friends Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, from 5-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home, and again Saturday morning from 9-10:00 a.m. at the Church, prior to the 10:00 a.m. funeral Mass.

The family would like to especially thank Sofia's caregivers and dear friends who offered their support and prayers, standing by her side to comfort her during her illness.