Published in the August 18, 2017 edition
MELROSE — Marjorie M. (Hall) Santo, 83, of Melrose, died on August 8.
Margie grew up as the youngest of four children. She had many interests in school including, cheerleading, drama, majorette, and playing the guitar.
Margie liked Bob since she was a young girl. She used to say that she chased him until she caught him. Margie was a stay at home mother who raised four children, two boys and two girls. Every afternoon she had a home baked snack ready for her children when they returned from school. Margie was a wonderful seamstress and quilter. She taught her girls to cook and sew at a young age.
As the children moved away Margie loved walking Revere Beach with Bob and picking up beach glass, sitting on her front porch visiting with neighbors and reminiscing about growing up, and going on the bus to Mohegan.
Margie loved her children, 10 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. She enjoyed decorating her house for the holidays, especially Christmas, when every square inch was covered with decorations. She especially loved cooking and baking for her family and friends. She was known to bring baked goods to the staff at CVS, to her doctors and their staffs, the mail girl, neighbors and many others. She would even run outside to city workers and police officers providing cold drinks and snacks when they were working on her street.
Margie also had the gift of gab. Everyone in town, at the mall, the beach, wherever she went, provided an opportunity for conversation. And everyone who saw her walking with Bob, hand in hand or with his arm around her shoulder commented on how cute they were and how much their love for one another showed. Bob was her protector, when they were just starting out as a young couple and as their time together faded away.
Margie was petite in stature but those who knew her well knew that she was tough and a force to be reckoned with. Margie pulled no punches with anyone. Her children, especially, knew that she was the boss and were more afraid of her then their father. Even when she received her diagnosis this year, she was determined to beat her cancer. When she saw her children upset, she would say “Knock it off, I’m fine.” When Bob would get discouraged, she would say, “Snap out of it!” She even had a sign on her refrigerator that said, “Cancer sucks.”
Marjorie was the beloved wife of Robert J. Santo of Melrose for 62 years. She was the loving mother of Stephen P. Santo and his wife Charlene of Brockton, Nancy L. Ambrosino and her husband Anthony of Middleton, Sandra J. Santo of Melrose, and Robert C. Santo and his wife Bridgette of Manchester. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held at the Gately Funeral Home on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Marjorie’s memory to the Malden Catholic Scholarship Fund, 99 Crystal St., Malden, MA 02148.
To sign online condolence visit www.gatelyfh.com
