Obituary of Shirley V. Santiamo

Shirley Santiamo, 79, a lifelong Poughkeepsie resident returned to God on 9/21/24 surrounded  by her loving family at MHRH.  Shirley entered this world on May 8, 1945 at Vassar Hospital - daughter of Ernest and Rose (Pipa) Perrotti.  She graduated from W.W. Smith School and Poughkeepsie High School class of 1963.  On May 1, 1965 she married her high school sweetheart Johnny in Holy Trinity R.C. Church.  Happily married for 59 years, they were blessed with 2 beautiful daughters.  Shirley cherished spending time with her 4 grandsons, her family was her pride and joy.

Shirley was very caring, outgoing and happy.  She brought a smile to everyone she met.  She loved every baby she laid eyes on and always had a kind word to make someone’s day.  She loved to tell jokes and make people laugh.  She was a professional clown/face painter (“Shuby”) and brought joy to countless children over the years. 

Shirley loved traveling - especially to the beach.  Annual family jaunts to Seaside Park, NJ with lifelong friends - the Boldes, many cruises throughout the Caribbean and Hawaiian Islands, and spent many winters “snowbirding” in Siesta Key, Florida.

She enjoyed annual visits to her nephew’s Haunted Mansion and Holiday Spirit Festival.  She was always excited to take a roadtrip to Buffalo to visit her daughter (of course not without her large hot coffee - cream, no sugar.  She was happy when her granddogs came to visit and always had a treat for them.  She was ecstatic when they adopted her beloved lap cat and companion - “Cathy”.

She also enjoyed spending her free time shopping and going to see live music with her daughter.

Survived by:

Her husband John Santiamo, daughters Gina and Julie Santiamo, grandsons Justin McDowell, Kevin McDowell, Louie Cervone, Mike Cervone, brother in law Gene Santiamo (Annie)

Several nephews, nieces and cousins. Shirley was pre-deceased by her parents, sisters: Carol Hadden and Virginia McCurdy. 

The family wishes to thank the E.R. and I.C.U medical staff at MHRH for their care and compassion. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.

Services:

Viewing on Wednesday, September 25th at Straub Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home in Wappingers Falls from 4- 7pm.  Funeral at Holy Trinity Church, Pougkeepsie on Thursday September 26th at 10 am.