Sr. Maria Ramon Santiago Colon, OSF

Sister Maria Ramon Santiago Colon, OSF Age 86, passed away on March 16, 2023. She was the daughter of the late Ramon Santiago and Carmen Colon; sister of the late Jose Ramon Santiago, Ramon Angel Santiago and Lydia M. Santiago. She is survived by several nieces and nephews as well as a beloved cousin, Josefina Garcia Stofko. Sister Maria Ramon Santiago entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale on August 1,1956. For 60 years Sister served in education in her native Puerto Rico. Following a short time of teaching, she was named Principal of the Intermediate school at San Antonio in Puerto Rico, where she was recognized for her excellent work in direction and organization for her students. In 1991, Sister Maria Ramon was named Associate Superintendent ad Director of the Religious Programs for the 72 Catholic Schools. In 1993, she was honored on The Day of the Woman for her outstanding work in the town and for contributions in the field of education. Sister continued to minister as Assistant Principal and then Director of Colegio San Antonio Elementary School until 2018. On September 20, 2017, hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico and plunged all of its 3.4 million residents into a humanitarian crisis. Due to the extensive devastation, Sister Maria Ramon and 2 other Franciscan sisters of her community had to return to Mt. Alvernia in Millvale. At the time, Sister Maria Ramon was 80 years old. From 2018 and 2019, she served in a variety of ways at Mt. Alvernia. In 2019, she, along with all the sisters at Mt. Alvernia moved to The Waters of Wexford. It was here that Sister Maria Ramon became endeared to many of those who cared for her. She will be remembered as a courageous Franciscan woman who taught Christian values to her students and survived a hurricane of extraordinary proportion. Her dreams remained well within her reach for she once said, "My wishes were fulfilled when I joined the Community of the Sisters of St. Francis in Millvale." Funeral liturgy will be live streamed at St. Aidan Parish website. Viewing will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 at St Aidans Parish, St Alexis Church, 10090 Old Perry Highway, Wexford, from 9:30 until the time of Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. Interment at Mt. Alvernia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St Francis of the Neumann Communities, 225 Greenfield Parkway, Suite 208, Liverpool, NY 13088. Professional services trusted to D'ALESSANDRO FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, LTD., Lawrenceville. www.dalessandroltd.com .

Sr. Maria Ramon Santiago Colon, OSF

February 2, 1937 - March 16, 2023