Annabel D. Santilli

Funeral services will be held 11am Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ, 1900 Keefer Rd. in Girard, for Annabel D. Santilli, 79, who died early Monday evening surrounded by her family at the Victoria House in Austintown. She was born October 7, 1931 in Parkersburg, WVa., a daughter of Fred and Hazel (Hendershott) Richards, and she came to this area as a child. She was a 1949 graduate of Chaney High School. She spent her adult life as a homemaker and as a food service demonstrator for Nemenz Food Stores. She was actively involved with her church, where she was ordained a Deaconness in 1972. She was active in missionary work with her husband distributing food, clothing and bibles in Panama, Guatemala, the Sandblast Islands and the island of Dominica. In the U.S. she also visited the Seneca, Cattarauqus, and Salamanca Indian reservations in New York. She served as past president of the Ladies Circle, enjoyed spending winters with her husband in Florida, gardening in the springtime, and crocheting. Annabel was a quiet and gentle woman who was very devoted to her family and she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Richard C. Santilli, whom she married October 7, 1950. She also leaves behind three children; Sandy (Dennis) D'Orazio of Austintown, Terri (John) Stanley of Austintown, and Richard (Teresa) Santilli of Boardman; five grandchildren; Valerie (Trevor) Jones of Wellington, John Stanley of Austintown, Emily (Westley) Berry of Austintown, Kacie Santilli of Boardman, and Kristian Santilli of Boardman; and a great granddaughter, Sydney Berry. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters; Frieda Hayes and Bertie Wilhelm. Friends may call for one hour prior to services from 10-11am Saturday at the church. Annabel's family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the caring and compassionate staff at the Victoria House, especially Danielle and Marybeth. Also a special thank you to Laurie, her Hospice nurse. In lieu of flowers or contributions the family requests that everyone take time and enjoy an evening together with their families and loved ones as she always did.