Marian Lillian Santo
April 30, 1952 - January 6, 2020
Marian Lillian Santo, age 67, of Newark, DE, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2020.
Born in Norwalk, CT on April 30, 1952, she was the oldest of seven children of Marian J. (Haggerty) Santo and the late William M. Santo. Marian was a graduate of Newark High School and the University of Delaware, with a degree in elementary education. She was a passionate and devoted teacher for 38 years, teaching at Holy Angels School and various schools in the Red Clay School District.
Marian enjoyed Mo-town music, TV westerns, crocheting, knitting and antiquing. She loved photography and scrapbooking, creating over two dozen scrapbooks, recording family history spanning over 60 years. Her happiest days were spent on family vacations in Wildwood and Cape May, N.J., hosting theme tea parties for her friends and traveling to Lancaster, P.A. to shop and attend shows.
Marian will be remembered as a devoted daughter, loving sister, caring aunt and dear friend. She cherished and valued her times with family and all of her dear friends of many years, whom she considered her extended family and brought great joy to her life. We thank her for all of the wonderful memories that we all hold dear to our hearts. She will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her mother, Marian of Milford; siblings, Joan M. Dolan (Edward), William Santo, Victor Santo, Blaine Santo, Linda Denney (Randy) and Shelley Sapp (Richard); nieces, Jaclyn Horsey (Eric), Heather Santo and Terry Denney; and nephews, Jesse, Cody, Riley and Brodie Sapp and James and Stephen Denney.
A memorial committal service will be held at 3 pm on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, in the Chapel at Cathedral Cemetery, 2400 Lancaster, Avenue, Wilmington, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marian’s memory to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.
Wendy Clark - Della Valle
Marian was a kind, fun person! I will always remember sharing times with her playing BUNCO, discussing books, celebrating parties, and posing for pictures. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched. May she Rest In Peace as she watches over her friends and family from above.
Shelley Sapp
I will cherish memories of dancing to your records in the living room, going to the beach, having you be in search of chocolate or mint chocolate chip ice cream, and the delight you took in our boys lives. I’m glad we shared an interest in scrapbooking, and listening to oldies. So sorry you suffered so in this life. Tell Grandma and Grandpa “Hi!” God be with you. You will be missed.
Toni Malone
I was Marian caregiver, We became friends enjoyed our times together..We would take rides listening to oldies song,sing along with the song. One day she stated you my sister and begin bossing me.We cheer many conversations. One day she said Toni your last name Santo, because Joan couldn’t remember your last name and we going to Valentine luncheon, that was a fun day especially when my name was announced Toni Santo.What laugh we all had.That the last day she drive her car… because when we arrived to meet her friend I said Marian I’m not riding with you so move to passer side. We laugh she said it’s your car.I thank god for the time she and I had together . Going miss you sis..
Toni
Patti Ferich
Marian was my special buddy at Stanton Middle School and became my dear friend. We joked about trying a new place for lunch or dinner and always ended up at our favorite Olive Garden where we enjoyed eggplant parmigiana. I loved Marian’s positive but down-to-earth attitude and sense of humor. I will miss her companionship so much. May you test in peace at the heavenly beach.
Jeanne Tunell
So sorry to hear of Marian’s passing. I was a first grade teacher when she taught second grade at Holy Angels in Newark. I will always remember her as a fun, kind,and caring person. My thoughts and prayers to all her family and friends at this difficult time.
Joanne Scholl
My heart sunk when I saw Marian’s picture on the obituary page. I have thought about her so much in recents months. I would never have gotten through our years at the U of D if it weren’t for her and her sister, Joan. Although I haven’t spoken to her much lately, she was frequently on my mind. I will forever treasure our friendship. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Margaret (Makeever) Rogusky
Joan and other brothers and sisters – I am sorry you have lost such a good friend and sibling. Marian and I started our friendship
55 yrs ago in seventh grade at Central Jr. High. We giggled our way through our first crushes – boys our own age, and infatuations
with TV personalities. Marian loved Michael Landon and I thought the moon rose and set on Richard Chamberlain! We rode bikes
through the neighborhood and listened to records. I had my first glass of white wine at your house one night your mom had invited
me for spaghetti dinner. It was a fun night. I will remember her hearty laugh and joy of living, and miss her letters. She is resting now.
Susan Huffman
I worked with Marian at Stanton Middle School. I will always remember her laugh. She had a great way of looking at things and was a pleasure to work with. The love she had for her family just exuded from her and I always enjoyed looking through her scrapbooks when she would bring them in. I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my prayers.
Tom Martin
Miss Santo was my wonderful 2nd grade teacher in 1976 at Holy Angels School. What an amazing woman who took the time to teach a lefty how to write in cursive as well as many other things. May she Rest In Peace and prayers to her family.
Mary Clawson Goering
Sending prayers to Marion’s family. I have many fond memories of Marion as a fellow teacher at Holy Angels.
Bonnie Malone Favero
I remember Marian from school. She was always a happy, sweet person. My sympathy to all the family.
Mary Haskins-Keefe
I’m so sorry for your loss. I was a teacher with Marian and remember how friendly and happy she was…I can still hear her laugh. I’m sending you love and prayers during this difficult time.❤️
Erin Doyle
So sorry to hear about Marian’s passing. Her and so taught at Stanton Middle School together on the 6th grade team. We all always had a great time together and enjoyed each other’s company. She will be missed!
Arlene Gunia
Marian and I worked together at Stanton Middle School. She always had a great outlook on things. I am sorry for your loss. My sympathies to the family.
Ginny Craig
Santo Family – I am so very sorry to read an obit for Miss Santo. She taught my daughter, Renee, in second grade at Holy Angels. She was the nicest, most pleasant, patient teacher and we loved her. May she Rest In Peace in God’s arms.
Rayma Vreeland
I first met Marian when she taught my daughter in 6th grade at Stanton Middle School and then again in 7th grade I’ll be the first to admit Nicole was not the easiest kid to teach and I came to expect my daily phone call from Ms Santo who I knew was so frustrated with Nicole but was always so positive in the way she would put things I remember her telling me years later when her brother Victor and I were together that she had always seen so much potential in my daughter that she wasn’t about to let her get away with the things she would try to. I always had the most respect for her as a teacher and later as a friend she will surely be missed by all who had the pleasure to know and love her. RIP Marian.