She was born in Yauco, Puerto Rico to Juana Santiago and Bautista Leon on March 12, 1920 (actual birthday, registered birthday is May 10, 1920). Palmira came to Chicago in 1953 during a massive migration of Puerto Ricans moving to the U.S. When she retired from work, she moved back to Puerto Rico with her husband, Efrain, and lived in Arecibo for 11 years until he passed away. In 1993, she returned to Chicago and lived with her daughter Dora for the past 28 years. She was widowed twice, to loving husbands, Ruben Fraticelli (1946) and Efrain Garcia (1993).
Palmira was a proud Puerto Rican woman, with character, grace, and style and an infectious smile. Her greatest attribute was the abundance of love in her heart and the ability to share it with everyone.
She made every grandchild feel like they were her favorite, every friend believe they were the best, and every elderly and disabled person that she took care of feel cherished. It was an absolute must for all her children and grandchildren to come to Sunday dinners; other family members and friends were also welcomed. She loved animals and often fed stray dogs and cats. She was an avid reader and movie-goer, had favorite celebrities whose lives she followed, and had strong work ethics, rarely missing a day of work.
Palmira is survived by four daughters-Lillian Rosario, Ninette Fraticelli, Nilda Lugo, Dora Garcia, 15 grandchildren, and many great, great-great, and great-great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Ruben Fraticelli and Porfirio Fraticelli.
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