Joan A. “Joannie” (Maguire) Santiago of Medford, 83, passed away at home on Thursday, August 18th, after a short battle with cancer. Born in Boston, she lived in West Medford for the past 48 years. Joannie was a waitress at SIDS Deli in Allston before moving to Medford, where she worked at Sunnyhurst, Collections and Nu-Way Cleaners. Joannie loved people young and old and made lots of friends. She and her husband spent 30 years of weekends at their friend Nancy Lloyd’s house. It was their favorite thing to do: Play cards, swim and eat. Amici’s Restaurant was her #1 place to eat out. Joannie had a simple and lovely life.
Joannie was the daughter of the late Martin and Ann (Richmond) Maguire of Boston. She is survived by her devoted, loving husband Ramon Santiago of West Medford, her daughter Theresa Smith of Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, Canada, and her son Stephen Smith and his wife Valerie of Sandown, New Hampshire. She was preceded in death by her son Nicholas Testa. Joannie was the loving Nana of Nicole Smith of Medford, and great grandmother of Dylan Smith. She was the dear sister-in-law of Aura Garfunkel of Colorado and Virginia Sanchez Korrol and her husband Charles of New York, and is also survived by her childhood friend of 68 years, Donna McDonald of Quincy.
Visiting hours have been omitted. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 25th at 10 AM in St. Raphael Church, 512 High St., Medford. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Services will conclude with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made in Joan’s name to Kitty Connection of Medford, online at www.kittyconnection.net.