Talented seamstress enjoyed reading and playing cards
Published November 23, 2018
MALDEN —On Tuesday, November 13, 2018, Virginia Mae Santomango, 88, passed away peacefully with her family by her side.
Beloved wife of the late George J. Santomango. Mother of Antoinette Thelen and her husband Kurt of Melrose, Virginia Hulings of Saugus, Michael Santomango and his wife Gail of Calif., Marie Elgart and her husband Scott of Melrose, Kathryn Brown and her husband Sean of Malden and the late Andrea Balcom and Michelle Santomango. Sister of Phyllis Buckley of Malden and the late Marceline Henderson, Edmund L., Lester, Joseph W., and Francis E. Surette. Also survived by 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Mae was born on September 7, 1930, in Malden to the late Joseph and Louise (Meuse) Surette. She graduated from Malden High in 1948 and married the love of her life, George J. Santomango in 1949. They bought a house in Malden and raised seven children. She was a homemaker and talented seamstress. She also enjoyed knitting, crossword puzzles, reading, bingo, and playing cards. Prior to George’s death, they were inseparable teaching religious classes for six years at Immaculate Conception Church on the Malden/Melrose line. They also belonged to a couples bowling league for several years. They were involved with their children and loved spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They both loved the Christmas Eve tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes and it was the highlight of the Christmas season when the whole family gathered to celebrate.
Mae’s funeral was Tuesday, November 20 from the E. E. Burns & Son Funeral Home with a funeral mass in the Church of the Sacred Hearts. Burial was in the Forestdale Cemetery.
Donations in her name may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 800 West Cummings Pk., Suite 3100, Woburn, MA 01801.
