Santos "Tita" Thillet-Santiago

Santos Thillet-Santiago fondly known as “Tita” passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, at the age of 102 years old, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on April 22, 1923 in Guayama, Puerto Rico, Tita lived a life defined by love, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was the heart of our family, the one who held us together, lifted us up, and made every moment feel like home.

She was a woman of unconditional love, strength, kindness, selflessness, and the purest love. Through her warm hugs, home-cooked meals, and gentle words of wisdom, she made everyone feel deeply loved and cared for. She had a special way of making everyone feel seen, loved, and cared for. Her presence was a gift, and her love was something we will carry with us forever.

Tita was preceded in death by her parents, brother, sisters, son-in-law Doel Sr., and her beloved grandson Doel Jr.

She is survived by her loving children, Wanda (Eliezer), Vilma (Heriberto “Puré”), and Jose “Pepo”; her cherished grandchildren, Zaydee, Denzyl (Jill), Jackie, Ramon (Nicole), Carlos (Lindsay), Eliezer Jr. “June” (Sara), and Leslie (Benny); and her adored great-grandchildren, Amanda, Alexyanna, Gia, Isabella, Jafel, Isiah, Namia, Ramon Jr., Aubrey, Axel, CJ, Roen, Mia, Teeghan, Jackson, Savvy, Patrick, Mason, Benny Doel, Milania, and Alessia.

Each of us were blessed by her love, and her legacy lives on through all who knew her.

To know her was to love her. She was not only our grandmother, but our matriarch, our safe place, and our greatest blessing. There are no words that can fully capture the depth of what she meant to us or the space her absence leaves behind.

A viewing will be held on April 21, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Rodriguez Funeral Home, 1101 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124, followed by a service at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Chelten Hills Cemetery, 1701 E. Washington Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19138.

In honor of her life, we ask that you send flowers to the funeral home or cherish your loved ones deeply, just as she always did. Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that her love surrounds us still. Her legacy of love, strength, and family will never fade.

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our Tita.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Santos "Tita" Thillet-Santiago, please visit our floral store.