Juana Rosa Santiago

On Friday, November 24, 2017, Juana Rosa Santiago, most affectionately and lovingly known as “Nina,” passed away in peace at the age of 83 after a lengthy valiant battle to recover from surgery. Juana Rosa was born February 15, 1934 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the second of eight children born to Alfonso Rosa and Epulquelia Maldonado. While living in Ponce, she met and married Jorge Federico Soto Santiago and migrated to New York City at the age of sixteen where she resided until 2006. She is survived by four children, eleven grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren, and five siblings.

Nina was a wonderful woman, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. Her lifelong friends would agree she was a loyal, caring and loving friend who was “like a sister and a mother” when you needed one. She was a rock of woman who in love, tears, laughter and trusting confidentiality would listen and respond from her heart in wisdom. Her compassion and wisdom likely stemmed from her passion for social work and she received a Certificate in Human and Social Sciences from Hunter College in New York City.

Throughout the years, Nina had a long list of beauties that were placed in her trusted, loving care by friends and family. She was a reliable employee who was mentally proficient in math and enjoyed a part-time career in retail sales. She loved bowling and volleyball as well as a good glass of Canadian Club with friends at home and social occasions. Her home was the “party palace” for celebrations of life, birthdays and just for making it to another weekend. Music was a foundation in her home and her good cooking was always on the stove. She enjoyed a wonderful myriad of music within the Latin and American genre which included: Carlos Vives, Olga Tanon, Daddy Yankee(!), Chiquitete, Fernandito Villanova, Alejandro Fernandez, Leo Marini, Marc Anthony, Rocio Jurado, Alejandro Fernandez, Roberto Torres version of “Caballo Viejo,” Lou Rawls, Neil Diamond, Blanca Rosa Gil, and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

Living in the diverse and heavily migrated section of 1950’s New York Lower East Side was a great challenge for a young Puerto Rican Latina. However, in the face of discrimination and offense, she remained a strong-willed, intelligent, elegant, respectful and honorable woman who offered her intellect, love, wisdom and friendship without reservation or revenge.

There were times throughout life where Nina would acknowledge in wonder how she “made it.” Yet, through it all, she would maintain a good smile, remember and acknowledge GOD as well as her dearest friends as the Source and springs of her help and strength. Her shining black colored eyes could pierce as well as light up your soul. “Ojos Negros” or black colored eyes are extremely rare and confirmed on her license. Her smile was as big, beautiful, bright and sincere as she was. She would help anyone who needed someone to listen, food, money, or a place to stay. She never spoke badly about anyone (unless it was true!), believed for the best in people and believed in helping as much as she could.

She will always be lovingly treasured and remembered by her children, grandchildren, family, friends, and those who had the great pleasure of truly knowing her.

Celebration of Life service details are still pending and will be posted shortly.

"And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Jeremiah 31:34