Mrs. Elsa Elsa DeBona Santini

Elsa Santini, 95, of Fort Lauderdale Beach passed on Monday, June 30, 2014. Elsa was born in Rome, Italy to Nicola Fusco and Italina Bonomo on March 25, 1919. Due to her exceptional aptitude, Elsa trained in classical piano during her early years. After her father’s untimely bereavement, the family immigrated to Pennsylvania where Elsa completed her undergraduate studies at Geneva College and went on to the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, where she was one of only three women in her class. In 1946, at the conclusion of World War II, Elsa and her mother traveled back to Rome. Here, she met her beloved husband, Gaetano Santini, an Italian physician who became mesmerized by her beauty and talent. After only three weeks, he proposed, and soon they were married. The young couple spent another year in war-torn Rome in preparation for travel back to the United States. For the following 10 years, they lived happily in New York City, while Gaetano worked as a physician and their family grew to include four children. The harsh winters eventually sent Gaetano and Elsa to pursue their dreams in Florida. Gaetano and Elsa were married for 52 years prior to Gaetano’s passing, however Elsa continued to enjoy many happy years in the Florida sun. We are comforted in this time, by the memories of the beautiful music she created during her life.

Elsa is survived by her daughters Ann Marie Santini, Esq. of Dayton, Roberta Santini, MD of Fort Lauderdale, and Alexandra Wideroff, MD of Boca Raton; her son, George Santini, MD of Colorado Springs; her son-in-law, John Wideroff, MD and daughter-in-law, Valerie Santini; her grandchildren, Christina, Stephanie, Veronica, Valerie, Matthew, Andrew, Gina, Adrian, and Audry; and great-grandchildren, Victor and Roland.

Viewing services will be held on Friday, July 4, 2014 from 5:00-9:00PM at Kraeer Funeral Home, 4061 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. Funeral mass and subsequent reception will take place on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at 10:30AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2511 N. Ocean Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, Fl, 33308.

Arrangements under the direction of Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.