MARIA ANGELICA Di SANTO

Maria Angelica Di Santo, 69, passed away at her home after a long battle with lung cancer on September 13, 2002. She was born Maria Angelica Caputo on June 22, 1933 in Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, Provincia di Avellino, Italy, to Antonio and Angela (De Vito) Caputo. At the early age of eight, she lost her father to malaria and was faced with the hardships of helping her mom work and raise her three younger sisters. Maria lived and grew up in a loving home with her mother, sisters and maternal grandmother until the age of 20. On December 21, 1953, she married Salvatore Di Santo, Sr., in Morra De Sanctis, Provincia di Avellino, Italy. In 1956, Sal left his family and homeland for the United States with the hopes of making a better life for his family. In 1958, he sent for his wife Maria and their eldest son, Anthony. Maria became a United States Citizen in 1965. While she had never forgotten her native land, Maria was very proud to be a United States Citizen and appreciated the opportunities the United States had afforded her and her family. Maria's favorite pastime was being a hostess. A gracious hostess she was to her family and friends. Family gatherings around the dining room table for a six-course meal were a staple in her home and it was her formula for keeping family and friends together. Coffee and home-baked goods were always ready whenever people stopped in to say "Hello". She was accomplished in home-made pastas, Italian dishes and desserts. Maria enjoyed gardening and her home was always decorated with beautiful flowers. She was an extremely hard worker and worked as a domestic until her retirement at 62. Maria was the loving mother of Anthony, Salvatore, Jr. and MaryRose. The dearest mother-in-law to Joan (Strazza) Di Santo and John B. Munnick. Special "Grandma" to Ryan, Kyle and Mark Di Santo and special "Nana" to Johnny and Stephanie Munnick. Maria leaves behind her three adoring sisters: Nicolina, Guiseppina and Gina, all of France, and her Uncle Rocco Caputo of Port Chester who is 91. Her parents predeceased her. Her husband Salvatore predeceased her in 1994. Maria will always be remembered for her kind and loving ways. She touched the hearts of many and there she will always remain. Visitation will be on Sunday and Monday, September 15 and 16 from 5 to 9 PM at the Gunipero Funeral Home, 353 Westchester Avenue, Port Chester, NY (914) 939-1315. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 17, at 10:30 at Corpus Christi Church, South Regent Street, Port Chester. Interment will be at Greenwood Union Cemetery, Rye, New York. JAMES J. GUNIPERO FUNERAL HOME, INC. 353 Westchester Avenue Port Chester, New York 10573