Carmen Santiago, 72, of Haverhill, wife of Miguel Gomez, passed away at Baker-Katz Nursing Home, Oct. 2, surrounded by her family.
Born in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of the late Francisco and Adelina (Coreano) Santiago. She met her husband Miguel, with whom she was married for 40 years, in the Bronx, N.Y. She enjoyed the beach, fishing and walking at Winnekenni Castle in Haverhill. She was a seamstress for more than 25 years in the Manhattan clothing industry among other places. She loved to dance, especially salsa dancing.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Raymond Velez and Christine Blair of Albany, N.Y.; Rafael Rodriguez of Bronx, N.Y.; stepchildren, Migdalia Joubert of Haverhill, Carlos Guadalupe, Karen Guadalupe, Eliot Guadalupe and Elizabeth Maisonet; 14 grandchildren including Michelle Velez and Raymond Velez, Jr.; and several great grandchildren. She also raised Rafael Rodriguez Jr., her grandson, from birth.
Friends and family are invited to attend calling hours Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 4 to 8 p.m., at Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. Funeral services begin Thursday morning at 8 a.m., at the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9, at St. James Church, Winter Street, Haverhill. Burial follows in Linwood Cemetery, John Ward Avenue, Haverhill.