Eva (Sansone) Santamaria

     It is with profound sadness that our family announces the passing of our truly amazing, beautiful, and inspirational mother and grandmother, Eva Santamaria. Eva passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on July 2, 2026.

     Eva was the beloved wife of the late Peter Santamaria, with whom she shared 70½ wonderful years of marriage. Theirs was a love story for the ages. She was a loving and devoted mother to Debra Santamaria Rousseau and her late husband, Anthony, of Watertown, and to Dean Santamaria, his late wife, Heidi, and his wife, Carolyn Anderson, of Pennsylvania.

     She was adored by her grandchildren: Derek Rousseau and his wife, Christine; Devan Root and her husband, Nathaniel; Kerstin Santamaria; Tarin Santamaria and her husband, Cody Suek; and Dean Peter Santamaria and his wife, Shannon. Eva was also blessed with ten great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews, all of whom held a special place in her heart.

     She was predeceased by her beloved parents, Antonio and Anna Sansone; her sister, Gloria Cardarelli; and her brother, Clement Sansone.

     Forever on a quest for knowledge and with an enormous enthusiasm for adventure, Eva embraced every day with boundless energy. One of her greatest loves was dancing with her husband. Eva was fortunate to have a remarkable group of lifelong friends who became an extension of her family. Whether they were traveling together, enjoying evenings out for dinner, spending time on the golf course, meeting for coffee, or simply sharing stories and laughter, their friendships enriched her life beyond measure. The love, support, and memories they created together will forever be cherished.

     She loved traveling and would happily take a ride anywhere—and if she ended up near the ocean, all the better. Eva was an avid golfer and a longtime member of the Oakley Country Club. She also enjoyed playing bocce, bowled for over 65 years and was a founding member of the Oakleaf Investment Club. Eva served as a Eucharistic Minister at Saint Patrick's Church and found great joy in serving her parish community. She also generously volunteered at Mount Auburn Hospital for over 10 years, always eager to help and comfort others. Her commitment to her community was evident through her lifelong membership in the Sons of Italy, the Cornelia dei Gracchi her service as a member of the Mount Auburn Hospital Auxiliary, her role as a Constable for the State and Town of Watertown for over 30 years, and her dedication as a Town Meeting Representative, among many other contributions.

     Her life was a beautiful example of kindness, generosity, and devotion to family, friends, faith, and community. She leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew and loved her.

     Family and friends are invited to celebrate the lives of Eva and her beloved husband, Peter, by honoring their memory together. A visitation hour will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown, MA, immediately followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Family and friends are warmly invited to join in remembering and celebrating the love, faith, and lives they shared. Burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Eva's honor to: 

Charles River Conservancy

43 Thorndike Street, S3-3

Cambridge, MA 02141

OR 

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105

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