Maria E. Velez

Maria Engracia Santiago Diaz (Valentin, Velez), a long-time resident of New Haven and Hamden, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 16, 2025, a day after turning 89. She was born on August 15, 1936, in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, however she had made her home in Connecticut for the last fifty-seven years. Maria was the oldest daughter of the late Clarizo and Anastasia Santiago. She worked as a machine operator at Lender Bagels for many years until her retirement. She was an active member of the Star of Jacob Church in New Haven until 1982 when she desired to start a Sunday School extension in Fair Haven with church member Ruperto Mont and their pastor Rev. Abraham Marsach gave them his blessing. The home-based Sunday School extension became the Third Star of Jacob (now Iglesia Cristiana Betania), and the rest is history. She served in various positions at the church under Pastors Roberto Mont, Luis Suarez, Juan Ojeda, Isaias Rodriguez, and Manuel Romero. She was loyal to God, and all her pastors who she loved very dearly, and Maria loved her church! She is survived by her son Jorge E. Valentin (Olga Santiago-Valentin), Mario Valentin (Michael Sanders) and Jose Otero, her daughters Norma I. Valentin, and Iris N. Cordero (Israel). Grandmother of Daniel Valentin, Jorge Valentin, Jr., Paul V. Santiago, Olga Toledo, Israel Cordero, Jr., Heriberto Cordero, Eduardo Valentin, Reynaldo Valentin, Christopher Bonilla, and Anthony Bonilla. Sister of Francisco "Frank" Santiago, Matilde Pedraza Santiago, Nicolasa Santiago, Ana Delia Santiago (Torres). Also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter, Evelyn Valentin, brothers Pablo Raul Santiago, Pedro Santiago, Alcayo Santiago, Jose Ramon Santiago and Miguel Angel Santiago, and sister Teresa Santiago Beltran The visiting hours will be Wednesday, August 20th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM in The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Family and friends are invited to go directly to Iglesia Cristiana Betania Church, 204 Peck Street, New Haven, on Thursday morning, August 21st at 10:00 to attend a funeral service and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following in All Saints Cemetery.