Christina R. Santillo
Christina R. Santillo, 95, of Ellwood City passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday at the home of her son in Valencia following a courageous 18-month battle with cancer.
She was born Nov. 4, 1923, in Chewton, Pa., and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Jennie (D'Andrea) Maietta.
She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1941.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael L. Santillo, who died Jan. 24, 1989. They were married Aug. 1, 1942.
A loving and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Christina will be remembered most fondly by friends and family for her warm and caring nature and welcoming hospitality.
She enjoyed cooking, baking, playing cards and crocheting, often making afghans for family, and church and community fundraisers.
She faithfully worshipped at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, where she was a lifetime member of the Christian Mothers Ladies Guild. She volunteered in the Holy Redeemer School cafeteria for over 50 years.
Christina is survived by six sons, Michael (Priscilla) Santillo of Ellwood City, Richard (Jane) Santillo of Seminole, Fla., Robert (Gayle) Santillo of Valencia, Gary Santillo of Edinboro, Raymond (LuAnn) Santillo of Ellwood City, and Thomas (Pam) Santillo of Pittsburgh.
She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Betsy (James) Amato, Gregory (Kim) Santillo, Christy (Scott) Kravetz, Christopher (Liz) Santillo, Jayme (Matt) Orn, Tara (Zach) Carter, Megan (Dave) Moore, Robbie Santillo, Jenna (Gary) Valentino, T.J. (Tasha) Santillo, Michael Santillo, Nick (Jessica) Santillo, Katie (Kyle) Knisley, Jessie Santillo and Joey Santillo; and 19 great-grandchildren, and two more are expected in the coming months.
In addition to her parents and her husband of 46 years, Christina was preceded in death by six brothers, Charles Maietta, Andrew Maietta, Peter Maietta, Dominick Maietta, Michael Maietta and Genery Maietta; two sisters, Effie DeMaio and Florence Caravaggio; and her beloved daughter-in-law, Barbara Santillo.
SANTILLO — Visitation for Christina R. Santillo, who died Friday, May 10, 2019, will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory, 309 Spring Ave., Ellwood City.Members of the Holy Redeemer Christian Mothers are asked to meet at the church by 9:50 a.m. Tuesday to form an honor guard.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Redeemer Church with the Rev. Mark Thomas officiating.Interment will follow at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery.Memorial donations may be made in Christina's name to the Holy Redeemer Angel Fund, 300 Crescent Ave., Ellwood City, PA, 16117; to the Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research, 521 West 57th St., 4th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10019; or to the Alzheimer's disease Research Center, Attn: Leslie Dunn, MPH ARDC Administrator, UPMC Montefiore, Four West, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.Please visit www.teolisfuneralhome.com.
