Mrs. Agripina "Elsa" (Guadalupe) Santiago

UTICA – Mrs. Agripina “Elsa” (Guadalupe) Santiago, age 85, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, with her loving family by her side. Born in Penuelas, Puerto Rico on April 18, 1938, Agripina was the daughter of the late Domingo and Julia (Santiago) Guadalupe. She was raised and educated in Puerto Rico where she lived until November of 1964, when she and her family came to the United States where they have since resided. At age 17, Elsa met Abraham Santiago, and they solidified their relationship when they wed in 1965. The couple shared 57 years together prior to his passing on January 2, 2007. Elsa was first and foremost a loving mother. She always took care to show her children and grandchildren great affection. She took immense pride in her homemaking and was always in the kitchen cooking enough to “feed the whole world.” Sharing her delicious creations with those she loved brought her much joy. A festive woman, she loved to dance, sing, and celebrate with her loved ones. She took great care in her appearance, always wanting to look her best, especially for nights she would go out dancing with her husband. Her love for her grandchildren was boundless and she was their greatest protector. A woman of deep faith, she was a member of Historic Old St. John’s Church. She was very spiritual and devoted to her God. She enjoyed singing in the choir for the Spanish Masses and loved singing her religious hymns. Elsa is survived by her children and their loves, Carmen Picart, Miriam Santiago and Juan Velez, Elsa Santiago and Robert Garcia, Yolanda and James Kozak, Nelson Santiago, Abraham Santiago, Jr., Antonio Santiago, Domingo Guadalupe, Jesus and Dawn Santiago, Robert Santiago, and Francisco “Frank” and Diane Santiago; 26 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Rosa Guadalupe. She fondly remembered her siblings who preceded her, her sisters, Georgina Guadalupe, and Lydia Rivera; and her brothers, Jesus Guadalupe, Teofilo Guadalupe, Tomas Guadalupe, and Domingo Guadalupe. She leaves to cherish her memory a special uncle, Carmelo Santiago, with whom she shared a closeness and adoration; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins; in-laws, Dolores “Lolo” and Connie Santiago, and Hector and Nancy Santiago; and many special friends. She was additionally predeceased by her grandson, Michael Sbiroli. The Santiago family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at MVHS Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their care and compassion shown to Elsa and her big, beautiful family. Thanks as well to Ann for her support and always being there for the family. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., Utica, corner of Hammond Ave. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Agripina’s Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life which will commence on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Historic Old St. John’s Church, 240 Bleecker St., Utica. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Mrs. Agripina "Elsa" (Guadalupe) Santiago

April 18, 1938 - February 27, 2024