Grimilda Santiago Ortiz

Grimilda Santiago Ortiz died peacefully on April 17, 2019, at the age of 84, close to her home in Casselberry, Fla. She was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, to loving parents, Agustin and Emerita Olmo-Santiago, the oldest of five daughters. Tumultuously at the age of eight, Grimi and her sisters, Lula and Mirtha, lost two sisters and their mother to illness. They would be raised by her beloved maternal grandmother, Epifaña Serrano, and aunt Esperanza for about four years until they would join their father and shuttle back and forth between New York City and Puerto Rico over the next few years.

In New York City, Grimi met and married a young Filipino engineering student, Vicente C Valenciano, in 1954. After the birth of their first child, they traveled to the Philippines on vacation to meet his family. Their anticipated short holiday evolved into 25 beautiful years and seven children. In 1979, Grimi returned to the U.S. to set up a new home and life in central Florida. She would later re-marry recently widowed Vicente Y Ortiz, to grow our family by another four children. In the decades to follow right through the end, she lovingly nurtured and celebrated our blended family in a distinctly loving way.

Grimi was a beloved wife, mother to 11, grandmother to 31, great grandmother to 17 and precious friend to hundreds. She graciously brought levity and love to all as Mom, Tita Grimi or Mamita. Also known to millions as the mother of iconic performer Gary Valenciano, she was herself a captivating singer and one-time stage actress. Music and a deep appreciation for the performing arts ran through her veins – as did a fondness for all things Filipino, including teleseryes.

Grimi was an amazing cook and impeccable fashionista. She sprinkled wit and humor over everything – even the most difficult situations – always encouraging and inspiring everyone to love first and ask questions later. She thoroughly enjoyed being a homemaker and traveling to reunite with family the world over. She turned to social media and her favorite Words With Friends to keep tabs on, engage with and continue to nurture everyone she loved or cared for deeply.

Grimi was all about family and friends, the essence of unconditional love. Her warmth and love and charm knew no bounds. She is survived by her children Robby Valenciano, Diana Faustmann, Gina Martinez, Liza Maenza, Pia Valenciano, Gary Valenciano, Gabriela Rader, Juan Ortiz, Andy Ortiz, Javier Ortiz and Raquel Rona, their spouses and families. She is also survived by her brother, Agustin Santiago Reina, Jr. -- her sisters, Lula Mendez and Mirtha Rodriguez Santiago Olmo, as well as Priscilla Rodriguez and Alexandra Santiago Reina, their spouses and families. Her memorial mass will be held at 11 AM on April 24, 2019 at St. Augustine Church, 375 N. Sunset Drive, Casselberry, Florida 32707.