Donna Santiago

“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.”

Our beloved Donna Santiago, 82, passed away on August 6th surrounded by her family and the exceptional Akron General CVICU team. Donna was born on July 12th, 1941, to Thelma May and James Bowery in Paden City, WV. She later went on to live in Akron, OH and there she studied art. After graduation, she began her time as a Case Worker for the Department of Human Servies, kicking off a 36-year career of devoted work in her community. Donna then met the loves of her life; her three children, Raymond, Elizabeth and Karla. It was God’s purpose for her to be a mother. Her gentle yet spunky nature, her unconditional love and inability to hold a grudge blessed her children with a childhood full of hugs, laughter, and warmth.

After retiring, Donna committed her time, love, and energy into helping raise her grandchildren. She loved a great many things, most of which were the small pleasures in life. In her spare time not chasing toddlers, she enjoyed painting, reading, gardening, cooking, crossword puzzles, but above all else, time with her family.

Donna is predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Keith and Stanley, her sisters, Thelma Lou, Linda and Carol, and her daughter, Elizabeth. She is survived by sister, Janet, son Raymond, daughter-in-law, Michelle, former daughter-in law, Toni, daughter, Karla, her eight grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

A private celebration of life will be held this fall, her favorite time of year, as her family spreads her remains in her treasured West Virgina. In her remembrance, we encourage you to donate to Chelsea’s Charity, an organization dedicated to providing art supplies to children, or Reading Is Fundamental, a program with a passion for helping children own and learn to read books.

Our prayer is that if you have the good fortune of meeting someone like Donna; cherish them. Call them often, hug them long and never, ever forget them. For if love is all we needed to survive, Donna would have lived forever.  Condolences can be shared with Donna’s family online at
www.heritagecremationsociety.com