Condolences

Chronology of Events

Mom's Story, by Rommel

Photos

Best Wishes

Prayers

Other Family News

Related Links

Please excuse the ads that appear at the top of these pages. Use of this hosting server is free, and this is how they get compensated.

November 6  11:30 AM EST, 1999 Saturday

From: Jim, Rommel, Candy, and Ron as well as their spouses and partners.

November 6, 1999

On an unseasonably warm fall morning with rays of bright sunshine piercing a metal-colored sky, Carmen Faustino-Wagner (Santos) was laid to rest.  In the modern, spacious brightly lit, glass-walled confines of St. John the Baptist church, family, friends and fellow parishioners celebrated mass in memory of a woman deeply loved. 

 Relatives from far afield, cousins, nephews and nieces from Carmen’s extended family, made a pilgrimage to Lockport, NY, giving the service an intimate feeling.  Mom’s remains were welcomed into the church by organ and violin music performed by friends.  Monsignor Fr. James Wrangler opened with a tribute that set the tone for the service.  He spoke about a woman whose energy was as limitless as her deep commitment to her parish and her religion.  He spoke about her famous desire to experience every aspect of life (preferably all at once) that had the unfortunate side effect of giving Mom a very short attention span and questionable driving skills.

 Moving readings from the Bible followed, given by her children Candice, Rommel and Ron.  Messages from the Philippines were read by brother Tommy which revealed that even early on, Carmen was a force of nature, an ethical person who stubbornly stood up for what she believed in or defended those in need.

 In keeping with what she wanted, a closer bond within her family, Ron wrote a eulogy that was delivered by brother Rommel.  In it, were glimpses of a life filled with richness spiced by traveling widely, devotion to religion and family, good works all leavened with non-stop chatter and a love-hate relationship with cars.    

 After the service, dozens of cars formed a mile-long caravan followed Carmen to her final resting place in a Wolcottsville cemetery only 300 yards from the farm she called home for 22 years.  After the service, strong winds that were blustering all week blew again, perhaps a final sign from someone who always had the last word.                     

This site is copyright the Santos family contents of this site may not be used for commerical publication without expressed written consent.