Teresa Virginia Santoro Vairo

Teresa Virginia (Santoro) Vairo, of Agoura Hills, California, formerly of Los Angeles and North Hollywood, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2015. Her daughter Elena and grandsons Patrick and Taylor were with her at the time.

Preceded in death by her parents, Gaetano and Emilia (Allevato) Santoro; her husband, Enrico (Henry) Vairo; her brothers Salvatore Santoro, Rosalbino Santoro, Pasquale Santoro, and Carmine Santoro; and her son-in-law, Richard Williams. Teresa is survived by her sister, Elena Mazzarino, Italy; children, Maria Vairo of Pasadena, California, Linda (Edward) Skelly of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Elena Williams of Agoura Hills, California and Anthony (Catalina) Vairo of Santa Clarita, California; and her grandchildren, Michael (Carolina) Skelly of Brooklyn, New York, Patrick Skelly of Los Angeles, California, Michael Vairo of Los Angeles, California, Jessica Vairo of San Diego, California, Nicholas Vairo of Santa Clarita, California, and Taylor Williams of Agoura Hills. She is survived by many nieces and nephews, in both the United States and Italy.

Born (August 1, 1921) and raised in Fuscaldo, Italy, Teresa and Enrico were married there in 1948, and began their journey together in Los Angeles where they raised their family. Enrico worked for Le Baron Clothiers in downtown Los Angeles while Teresa took care of the household and the children. She enjoyed needlework, particularly embroidery and crocheting, skills she learned as a young woman. Teresa was also known for her baking; her Christmas cookies and Easter breads were favorites of family and friends. She always made anisette cookies for her and Enrico to dunk in their coffee. The children and grandchildren always headed for her unique chocolate chip cookies, which were rolled in crushed corn flakes. Teresa and Enrico always enjoyed entertaining, filling the table with their homemade Italian cooking. When they moved to North Hollywood in 1986, she enjoyed making her lemon cake with fresh lemons from the backyard. Teresa lived a happy and fulfilled life until developing Alzheimer’s disease 10 years ago.

Mom’s greatest joy was her family – she loved us and did her best for us. We love you, Mom, and we will miss you.

The family wishes to thank her care givers Karla, Norma, and Kelly.

Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Organization at www.alz.org/donate