Anne P. Santalla

Anne Patrice Santalla of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on March 6, 2026, in Arlington. Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Patricia and Joe Horner. She is survived by her husband, Amador; her sons, Adam Santalla Pierce (Jacob) and Andrew Santalla (Hannah Adaway); her brothers, Michael Horner (Nya Daniels) and Kevin Horner (Sandy); and her beloved nieces, Amy Bowab (Michael) and Jesse Horner.

Anne was born on April 25, 1963, in Arlington, Virginia. She grew up in Arlington, with the notable exception of a three year adventure in Tehran, Iran, from 1968–1971 while her father was serving in the CIA. Anne first met Amador in the seventh grade, beginning a lifelong connection that led to 38 years of marriage. She dedicated her career to the nonprofit sector, including 22 years as the Director of Operations for the Accreditation Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

She was also a passionate collector of cookbooks, a hobby that reflected her love of learning, cooking, and sharing meals with her family and friends. She was an excellent travel companion; she arrived in each new city knowing exactly which James Beard Award nominee she wanted to investigate. She was also a devoted supporter of Adam and Andy’s work in the arts, attending countless high school and college productions. Her encouragement helped shape both of their careers in the arts today. In the spring, she especially loved replanting the window boxes and refreshing her herb garden before spending the afternoon on the deck with Amador and their dog, Hope.

Visitation will be at Murphy Funeral Home of Arlington (4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA) on Monday, March 16, from 5:00–7:00 PM. Services will be held on Tuesday, March 17, at 10:00 AM at St. Ann Catholic Church (5300 North 10th St., Arlington, VA), followed by burial at Columbia Gardens Cemetery (3411 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA).

Her friends and family will remember her as a thoughtful and deeply caring person who showed her love through quiet acts of service. She was always the first to offer help, comfort, or companionship when someone needed it most.

The family would like to thank the team at Virginia Hospital Center for the care and attention they showed Anne and her family.