Maria Mercedes Santiago

Maria was born on November 14, 1924 in Cidra, Puerto Rico. Her parents were Evangelia Vicente and Pablo Mejias. She later married Arcadio Santiago and had 9 children, one of them unfortunately dying at birth. Maria became a military wife and travelled to many places such as Panama, Washington State, Kentucky, Maryland, Germany, North Carolina, Colorado and Florida. While in Florida, she and her family lived at Patrick Air Force Base, later moving to Palm Bay, Florida in 1979.

Maria better known as Mercedes, enjoyed her church activities and spending time with friends and family. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Melbourne, who have an active Spanish community. Later she moved to Our Lady of Grace in Palm Bay where they too began a Spanish community. She loved the prayer group and being part of such a beautiful church family.

Maria is survived by her 8 children: Luz Miriam Aldworth, Palm Bay, FL; Luis Raul Santiago (spouse Frieda); Palm Bay,FL; Jose Rafael Santiago; South Carolina, Annie Santiago; Virginia, Carmen Santiago-Brieske; Colorado, Elisabeth Santiago; Miami, FL; Suzette Santiago (spouse Frank); Miami, FL; Richard Santiago (spouse Candy); Palm Bay, FL.

15 grandchildren: Jennifer Aldworth, Luis Raul Santiago II, Carlos Santiago, Erik Brandon Santiago, Renee Santiago, Rafael Vazquez, Ryan Andrew Brieske and Bronson Thomas Brieske, Christine, Cathy and Paul Hernandez, Jason Walker, Gabriella Caballero, Jada and Diego Santiago

12 great grandchildren: Logan Santiago, Joselyn Santiago, Brice Peyton Santiago, Phoenix Summer Santiago, Jadyn Brieske, Ronan Alexander Brieske, Jenna Nicole Brieske, Dylan Patrick Hernandez, Ann Marie Massey, Carlos Manuel Gutierrez, Arianna Hernandez and Zoe Guzman

Viewing will be held at Fountainhead Memorial Funeral Home in Palm Bay located at 7303 Babcock St. SE, Palm Bay, Florida 32909 on Wednesday September 10, 2014 from 7p.m. to 9p.m. Family can arrive as early as 6:00p.m.

A Mass in celebration of her life will be held on September 11, 2014 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church at 1:00p.m. located at 300 Malabar Rd. SE Palm Bay.Florida

Donations can be sent to both Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Grace Catholic Churches, which she loved and/or William Childs Hospice House in Maria Mercedes Santiago’s Memory.