FRAMINGHAM/SUDBURY: Irene M. (Merullo) Santamaria, 77, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at Wingate at Sudbury following a period of declining health.
She was born in Newton on May 28, 1934 the daughter of the late Emilio Merullo and Celia (DeLuca) Merullo.
Mrs. Santamaria was the loving mother of Lynne A. Santamaria of Bellingham; Leonard V. Santamaria, Jr. and his partner Gary L. Stout of Watertown and Mark A. Santamaria and his wife Gayle of Ashland. Also survived by her grandchildren, Philip L. Watson and his wife Dorina of Framingham, Toni A. Santamaria and Kendra E. Santamaria both of Ashland. She was the cherished great-grandmother of Philip Leonard Watson. Sister of Janet Savage of Framingham, Lenny Merullo of Malden, Carl Merullo of Virginia Beach, VA, William Merullo of N. Sutton, NH. Doreen O’Conner of Wayland and the late Arthur Merullo. She also leaves several nieces and nephews. She was the beloved wife of the late Leonard V. Santamaria who died November 10, 2006.
Mrs. Santamaria spent her formative years in Newton and Watertown and graduated from Watertown High School. She had been a resident of Framingham for over 40 years and most recently has resided in Sudbury for the past 5 years. Irene was an accomplished artist and taught private art classes at her Framingham residence for many years. Irene enjoyed traveling with her family and friends and camping during the summer months.
She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister to her family and will be greatly missed by all of the lives that she touched.
Visitations will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the Bryant Memorial Chapel of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Route 30), Wayland.
Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 9:00 am followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. George Church, 74 School Street, Framingham.
Interment will follow in Edgell Grove Cemetery in Framingham.
For online condolences and directions, please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.