Catalina Blas Santiago

Catalina Blas Santiago, age 76 of Yona, Guam died Monday, August 29, 2011 at her daughter’s home in Olympia, Washington after a brave 30 year fight with breast and bone cancer. Catalina was born on November 13, 1934 to Jose and Concepcion Peredo of Yona, Guam. She attended Mt. Mary College in Prarie du Chien, Wisconsin, where she received her bachelor’s degree, majoring in education. She received her Master’s degree equivalencies in bilingual/bicultural education. She became an elementary school teacher in the Guam and Tinian public schools, where she taught for over 40 years. She was very passionate about her career as a teacher and crossed striking teachers’ picket lines for the sake of her beloved students. She was also the original author of the “Hafa I Kulot?” children’s Chamorro language book series.

Catalina is survived by Felipe, her husband of 46 years and two weeks; her daughter Joy Rosales (James); Philip (Alison) Santiago, stationed in Ft. Bliss, Texas; Richard B. Santiago of Yona, Guam; Beloved niece Sandra (Pedro) Larribas of Yona, Guam; Reared niece Mimi (Randy) Esperanza of Maui, Hawaii; 18 brothers and sisters, numerous nieces and nephews, and two grandchildren.

Services are scheduled for Friday September 9, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Yona, Guam. A viewing will be held earlier that day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater, Washington.