February 3, 2021 in Sacramento, CA. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, José
Antonio Benitez Sr., her beloved children: Denise Benitez-Gonzalez, José (Tony)
Antonio Benitez Jr, and Marilyn Benitez Schumacher; her cherished grandchildren:
Joshua Aidan Benitez, Christopher Jayden Benitez, Jesse Eusobio Coronado and
Arianna Santia Benitez; and beloved son-in-laws, Efren Gonzalez and Steven
Schumacher, and daughter-in-law, Bobbie Denise Dias. She will also be remembered
fondly by many relatives and friends.
At the young age of 17, Santia emigrated to the United States from her birthplace of
Puerto Rico, making a new life full of opportunity in New York City. When she was 22, a
chance encounter on the NYC #1 Subway line on 178th Street led her to meet her
future husband, José; destiny had sealed their fate. They fell in love, and soon married
on April 6, 1972. In 2007, after living in NYC for nearly 40 years, Santia and her
husband relocated to Sacramento, CA, where she would live out the rest of her life,
near her beloved grandchildren. Santia was most happy as a homemaker, caring for
and nurturing her family, but also sought out different endeavors. In NYC, Santia
became a licensed beautician, practicing the craft for over 10 years. In Sacramento, she
would become a caregiver at a care home. These professions would be an extension of
her giving nature. She enjoyed cooking delicious Puerto Rican meals, listening to the
oldies, as well as, Spanish ballads and boleros, dancing, drawing, watching telenovelas,
going on car rides, as well as the occasional trips to the casino. She was a dreamer
grounded in reality. Yet above all, she loved her beautiful family.
On Tuesday, February 23 there will be a priest-led Private Prayer Service for Immediate
Family from 3pm to 4:30pm. Soon after, Friends and Family are invited to a Visitation &
Viewing from 4:30 pm to 7pm all taking place at Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral
Home, 5401 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA. Santia will be cremated and returned to her
husband’s side at their home.
In lieu of flowers, the Benitez Family asks that donations be made to their GoFundMe
page to help with Santia’s Funeral & Medical expenses: https://gofund.me/5aca6a51
To share memory of Santia, please visit www.nicoletticuljisherbergerfunerals.com
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