Carmen Alicia Santiago

Carmen Alicia Santiago (a.k.a. Abuela or Grandma) was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on August 24, 1918.

She graduated high school in Puerto Rico and migrated to New York in 1941 in search of a better job opportunity. Her sister was a sample maker seamstress and introduced her to factory work. She worked in a factory for 20 years. During those years she met Jacinto Carmona and had two children, Jacinto and Elsie.

Carmen was a strong woman. She believed in hard work. She became a single mother, moved to the Lower East Side, and with her endurance, she raised her two children on her own, with no handouts.

In 1983, at 65, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Fortunately, her surgery was a complete success an it was totally eradicated. Her daughter bought a house in the Bronx and she retired to go live with her daughter. She helped raise her three children, care for 5 dogs, and ran the Falto household. She always said she was so happy.

Subsequently, she became a 7th day Adventist and was a devoted church member. She served as a deaconess for 30 years, never missed a Sabbath. Eventually her illness did not allow her to travel to church any longer nor walk the neighborhood she loved so much.

Carmen was certainly a strong woman. She had bilateral knee replacement at age 90 and was able to travel back and forth (by car) to Florida three times, finally the family moved permanently on November 28, 2016.

Carmen was a very social person. She enjoyed talking to people and at age 98 could hold up a conversation to anyone regarding world news and life.

I owe my life to her because she gave birth to me, but most importantly, the woman I am today is because she instilled good values, work ethics, and the courage to fight for whatever I want.

Carmen Alicia Santiago died on January 27, 2017 at 1:25 PM at home. She was surrounded by her daughter Elsie, grandson Rene, granddaughter Christina, grandson in law Raymond, Son in law Mario, and her loyal dog Radar.

She is survived by her daughter, Elsie Falto and her husband, Mario Falto; grandson, Rene Mendez; granddaughter, Christina Diaz; grandson, Jermaine Wilson; grandson, Edward Falto; great-grandson Rene Mendez, Jr.; great-granddaughter Nya Mendez; great-granddaughter Ariel Mendez; great- grandson, Aven Diaz; great, great-granddaughter Elena Mendez; and great, great-grandson, Eli Diaz.

May she rest in peace. God has another angel.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 3, 2017 at Newcomer Funeral Home in Orlando from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The funeral service will begin at 7:00 PM.