Obituary for Carmela "Millie" Santisi (Basile)
Carmella "Millie" Santinsi
MAY 28, 1929 – FEBRUARY 14, 2021
Carmela “Millie” Santisi, 91, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones on February 14, 2021 in Newport Beach, California. Services will be private. The interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey.
Millie was the daughter of the late Marco and Vita Basile. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where Millie met and married the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Santisi. Together they welcomed five blessed children; Patrick, Michael, Anthony, Sandra and Rita. Her love for Tony and their children along with her profound faith were the admirable cornerstones of her life and would be the building blocks from which her family would find inspiration. They continued this inspiration when Tony and Millie were again blessed with welcoming the joyous gift of grandchildren into their lives. As grandparents they experienced a special bond with their grandchildren who became the center of their world.
If love could be produced into a tangible symbol, it would be her love of cooking for family and friends that would show how she communicated her unconditional love. Her delicious food was the centerpiece of many family gatherings from which wonderful memories are now held dear to all those who were blessed to be seated at her table. Millie was also a trade seamstress and the family tailor. Her sewing machine was one of her most cherished possessions.
The years after the death of her beloved Tony were difficult, but Millie was determined to continue living. She bravely moved from New Jersey to California and embraced a new life. Millie became an avid volunteer in her community and dedicated her time at St. Nicholas Church. She used her God-given talent
as a seamstress to make clothes for children in need. She also volunteered during the week at the Florence Sylvester Senior Center and became an active volunteer in the kitchen as well as to the Meals on Wheels program. Millie was humbled to be honored with the award and title of Ambassador of all of the Orange County Age Well Senior Centers. Her acceptance speech received a standing ovation; inspiring many seniors within the community to become active in volunteer work. This award was one of her proudest moments showing her strong determination to continue living and making a difference during the second half of her life.
At the young age of 88, Millie retired from volunteering and was ready to again challenge herself and open new doors with the a change to move into assisted living. She lived to continue enjoying life, interacting with new friends and being an eager participant in the many activities. Her legendary wit and strong determination continued to persevere even after Millie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her Catholic faith and devotion to the Blessed Mother was the foundation that wove together all of her journeys. She was a wonderful role model to all those whose lives she touched from family member to caretaker. Millie would always offer guiding words to all soles in her life.
Carmela was pre-deceased by her husband Tony and her son Patrick. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Eileen, her son Michael and his wife Christina, her son Anthony and his wife Esther Marie, her daughter Sandra, her daughter Rita Purcell and her husband Michael. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Brian and his wife Jerku, Nicholas, Jeremiah Mullins and his wife Madison, Anthony Mullins and also her grand-dogs Abbey and Annie Purcell. Carmela is survived by one precious great-grandchild, Maya Mullins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement In memory of Carmela Santisi http://www.thewomensalzheimersmovement.org.
May God Bless You All with Good Heath and Happiness.
MAY 28, 1929 – FEBRUARY 14, 2021
Carmela “Millie” Santisi, 91, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones on February 14, 2021 in Newport Beach, California. Services will be private. The interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey.
Millie was the daughter of the late Marco and Vita Basile. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where Millie met and married the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Santisi. Together they welcomed five blessed children; Patrick, Michael, Anthony, Sandra and Rita. Her love for Tony and their children along with her profound faith were the admirable cornerstones of her life and would be the building blocks from which her family would find inspiration. They continued this inspiration when Tony and Millie were again blessed with welcoming the joyous gift of grandchildren into their lives. As grandparents they experienced a special bond with their grandchildren who became the center of their world.
If love could be produced into a tangible symbol, it would be her love of cooking for family and friends that would show how she communicated her unconditional love. Her delicious food was the centerpiece of many family gatherings from which wonderful memories are now held dear to all those who were blessed to be seated at her table. Millie was also a trade seamstress and the family tailor. Her sewing machine was one of her most cherished possessions.
The years after the death of her beloved Tony were difficult, but Millie was determined to continue living. She bravely moved from New Jersey to California and embraced a new life. Millie became an avid volunteer in her community and dedicated her time at St. Nicholas Church. She used her God-given talent
as a seamstress to make clothes for children in need. She also volunteered during the week at the Florence Sylvester Senior Center and became an active volunteer in the kitchen as well as to the Meals on Wheels program. Millie was humbled to be honored with the award and title of Ambassador of all of the Orange County Age Well Senior Centers. Her acceptance speech received a standing ovation; inspiring many seniors within the community to become active in volunteer work. This award was one of her proudest moments showing her strong determination to continue living and making a difference during the second half of her life.
At the young age of 88, Millie retired from volunteering and was ready to again challenge herself and open new doors with the a change to move into assisted living. She lived to continue enjoying life, interacting with new friends and being an eager participant in the many activities. Her legendary wit and strong determination continued to persevere even after Millie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her Catholic faith and devotion to the Blessed Mother was the foundation that wove together all of her journeys. She was a wonderful role model to all those whose lives she touched from family member to caretaker. Millie would always offer guiding words to all soles in her life.
Carmela was pre-deceased by her husband Tony and her son Patrick. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Eileen, her son Michael and his wife Christina, her son Anthony and his wife Esther Marie, her daughter Sandra, her daughter Rita Purcell and her husband Michael. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Brian and his wife Jerku, Nicholas, Jeremiah Mullins and his wife Madison, Anthony Mullins and also her grand-dogs Abbey and Annie Purcell. Carmela is survived by one precious great-grandchild, Maya Mullins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement In memory of Carmela Santisi http://www.thewomensalzheimersmovement.org.
May God Bless You All with Good Heath and Happiness.