Anita Santiago

MARICOPA - Anita Howard Santiago, 81, of Maricopa died on Sept. 14, 2014, at home.

Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Friday at the Vah-Ki Multipurpose Center on the Gila River Indian Community, with the wake continuing until midnight. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 7 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter Catholic Church by Monsignor Ed Meulemans. Burial will be in Cowboy Cemetery in Sacate.

Ms. Santiago was born on Oct. 28, 1932, in Casa Blanca and was a daughter of Al and Clara Howard. She was a homemaker and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, listening to music, especially Mexican and chicken scratch, and she loved shopping. When she was able to cook, she always had food available. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission, liked to dance and enjoyed hanging out with friends and family.

Survivors include five sons, Cornelius "Corney," Ronald and Valentino Lewis, all of Casa Blanca, Fernando Smith of Maricopa and Fabian Santiago of Ak-Chin; three daughters, Genevie and Virginia Narcia and Salina Litton, all of Maricopa; a brother, Edward Lewis of Casa Blanca; 30 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Salminio Lewis, and a daughter, Gloria Smith.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.