Josefina Perez Santiago

Josefina Perez Santiago was born on Monday February 14, 1938 to the late Ramona Santiago and the late Carlos Perez in Moca, Puerto Rico. Josefina went to be with the Lord in the home of her beloved granddaughter, of Port St Lucie, FL on April 18, 2024 with her family members by her side. She was happily married to the late Sixto Valle since August 29, 1953. Josefina is survived by two loving children; Hector (Leticia) Valle and Luz E. Valle; six grandchildren, Emelinda Gomez, Tanya (David) Rivera, Jennifer Gomez, Steven (Vanessa) Valle, Vanessa Valle and Andrew Valle; and seventeen great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her siblings Minga, Abraham, Chano, Juanito, Carmen, Felix, Raul and Diana.

Josefina and Sixto owned their own restaurant on Clinton Street in Manhattan. She also worked in housekeeping in New York, NY. Josefina took time to help with the caretaking of her grandchildren. She went through the process of Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Sacrament of Marriage, Holy Mothers, as well as becoming a member of the Costello. She dedicated her life to doing deeds for Christ. She was a woman of prayer who worked towards being a eucharistic minister and volunteered for her church in New York, NY going around to give communion to those who were unable to go to the church in person.

Josefina was a very independent woman who would do anything and everything for herself before asking for any help, which included taking care of her relatives and late husband. Josefina was a woman devoted to her faith in Jesus Christ.  She adored her Bible and read it daily. Prayer was routine and the Rosary was a part of her attire. Oftentimes she’d watch television or sing old Catholic hymns. Regardless of her age, she was proficient with technology. She would also watch the Rosary on TV and pray along with the others, as well as watch the Holy Mass throughout the day. Despite her becoming overwhelmed with sickness, she never lost faith and always said “God knows what he is doing’’. When making the decision to go on hospice care, all she cared about and asked for was “I just want to be home with my children”. She would find herself sitting on the bench in the front of the house praying or just enjoying the weather and watching children play outside. Josefina enjoyed being in the presence and company of all children. If she wasn’t outside, you would find her enjoying her favorite TV shows; El Exalton and La  Casa De Lo Famoso with family. In addition to her love of Jesus Christ, she enjoyed being in the presence of her family, in which she cherished up until her death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Church, New Britain on Thursday, April 25th at 11:00 AM followed by burial at Fairview Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 5 – 8 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 S. Main St., New Britain.