Maria Giovanna Desantis

Maria Giovanna DeSantis, of Frederick, CO, died Monday, December 25, 2006 at the Berthoud Living Center. She was 101.Maria was born December 15, 1905 in Cansano, Italy to Ottavio and Pasqua (Villani) DiCamillo. She married Frank Rocco DeSantis on June 12, 1924 in Cansano.In June 1938, Maria and her son, Pete, immigrated to the United States to join her husband who was living in Frederick and working in a local coal mine. She was a long-time member of St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Frederick. She enjoyed gardening and cooking and was especially proud of her garden. Although she only had a third grade education in Italy, she stressed and made sure that her sons were educated and she was proud of becoming an American citizen.Her parents, her husband and her brother, Nicola DiCamillo, preceded Mrs. DeSantis in death. Maria is survived by her three sons: Pete DeSantis and his wife Helen of El Paso, Texas, Emilio DeSantis and his wife Sue of Longmont, and Sam DeSantis and his wife Kathryn of Katy, Texas; a brother, Salvatore DiCamillo of Denver nephews Agostino and Ottavio DiCamillo; nieces Stella Bardsley and Pasqua Dziadul; grandsons Rocco, Peter, Christopher, Cory and Kyle; granddaughters Maria Savera, Gina Dillingham, Lisa Walsh, and Jill Suits; and seventeen great grandchildren.Visitation will be held on Friday, January 5, 2007 at Howe Mortuary from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. A vigil service will be held that evening at 7:00 p.m. at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Frederick. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at St. Theresa's with Reverend Robert Whipkey officiating. Entombment will follow the services at Longmont Mountain View Cemetery.Please share your thoughts, memories and condolences with her family at www.howemortuary.com.