Darlene E. Renaud-Santiago

Darlene E. Renaud-Santiago 1948 - 2007 CHICOPEE, MA - Darlene Elizabeth Renaud-Santiago (Mardin), 58, of Chicopee St., passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2007 after a long illness. Born in Springfield, MA she was the daughter of Albert E. Mardin, Sr., of Landaf, New Hampshire. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Rafael Santiago, three daughters, Valerie Renaud-Rivera, Michelle and son-in-law John Belanger and Annette Renaud. She also leaves behind her brothers, Albert Marden, Jr. of Juarez, Mexico and Larry Taudal of Westfield; and her most trusted care-givers, Dr. Loring S. Flint, Jr. and Helene Houston, RN. She has three grandchildren, Christopher Rivera, Jonathan and Jeremy Belanger. Darlene spent most of her life in Westfield, MAwhere she graduated from Westfield High School as their Valedictorian. She achieved her business degree at STCC. She retired from Baystate Medical Center where she was affectionately known as the "Sticky Bun Lady." Each Wednesday morning saw droves of BMC staff skipping off to the High Street campus in the hopes that the buns were not yet sold out. She had also been Manager of Food Service at Noble Hospital, Westfield for a number of years. During the blizzard of 1982, Darlene walked from her home in Springfield to get to work at Noble Hospital so that the patients and staff would have food prepared for the day. Her work ethic was exceptional, and she was gifted with the ability to create beautiful works with her hands. Darlene was a very talented individual, she enjoyed sketching, quilting, sewing Halloween costumes for her children in their youth, baking and cake decorating; the simplest ingredients became exotic in her hands. The funeral is to be private. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 644 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109 or to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA 01105. Arrangements have been entrusted to Dickinson-Streeter Funeral Home of Springfield.