Obituary of Sally Ann Santiago

Sally Ann Santiago passed away peacefully after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.  Her loving family was by her side when she passed on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at Morristown Medical Center. She had just celebrated her 67th birthday on Valentine’s Day.  In her 67 years, Sally shared her unconditional love, infectious laughter, and profound love of life with everyone she met.

Born and raised in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY to the late Dorothy and Nunzio Giglio, she was the oldest of 5 children and the only girl. Sally was a dutiful daughter who helped look after her younger brothers while her parents ran the family business. She attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary and graduated from Bishop Kearney High School.  Sally then went on to earn her degree in nursing from Kingsborough Community College. She was an incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated Nurse; having her in the family was as good as having a Doctor on call.  You always knew you would be safe with Sally there. She began her career at Victory Memorial Hospital in Brooklyn and spent several years in the profession. Not too long after she had a chance meeting with one of her Mother’s friend’s siblings.  It was then that Sally met the love of her life and soulmate, Louis.  Sally and Louis began dating and before long they were inseparable.  On November 6, 1977, they were married before their family and friends at the same church that each of their parents were also wed, OLPH.  Sally and Louis started their family in Branchville, NJ welcoming their first son Daniel in 1978, followed by their son Steven in 1981.  Shortly after their third son, Andrew, arrived in 1985 the family relocated to what would be their home for nearly 20 years, Mountain Lakes, NJ.  While their children were growing up, Sally was active in every aspect of their lives. She was a devoted Class Mom, CCD Teacher, one time President of the Home and School Association, all the while shuttling her sons to sports practices, friends houses and whatever other activities they were involved in.  You name it, Sally was involved in it and she was always an active participant and never one to sit on the sidelines. She even won a “Citizen of the Year” award, something she was always very proud of. It is impossible to put into words the amount of tender love and care (TLC)  that Sally put into everything she did. Her family was always her first priority and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. She had so many special skills and talents, one of which was as a seamstress where she often made clothes, blankets, and more for her children and grandchildren. When Sally and Louis eventually retired to Caldwell, NJ she still could not sit still.  She jumped right in and helped out in every capacity with each of her 5 grandchildren, always more than happy to spend precious time with them.  Motherhood was indeed her true calling, and while she always said she wanted to go back to school for her MA, to perhaps become a teacher, Louis would remind her that she already had a MA in Mothering and PhD in Grandmothering.

Sally was the rare type of person that never met a stranger. She truly nurtured every person she came into contact with and constantly checked in on them. Sally never said a bad word about anyone and never passed judgment. You could talk to her about anything for hours and hours and she was always so patient and such a great listener. She was indefatigable, affectionate, generous, and benevolent beyond words. To say she will be missed is an understatement. Sally will remain alive in our hearts, souls, and memories, for generations to come.

She leaves only joyful memories to her beloved husband of 45 years, Louis; her adored sons, Daniel and his wife Iwona, Steven and his wife Amy, and Andrew and his wife Jessica; her treasured grandchildren, Jordan, Olivia, Mollie, Dylan, and Myles; her caring brothers, Michael (the late Dorothy) Giglio, Dean Giglio and his wife Carol, Joseph Giglio and his wife Susan, and Eugene Giglio; her loving brother-in-law, Richard Proscia; and countless nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Public Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 18th from 1 - 3 PM & 6 - 8 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 20th at 10 am at St. Ann Church, 781 Smith Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Memorial Donations are being accepted in Sally's memory to St. Ann Church, 781 Smith Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Sally here to continue to let her light shine.