Obituary of Philomena M. Santonastasso

South Plainfield - Philomena M. (LaSpina) Santonastasso, 98, went to be with the Lord on Monday, September 4, 2017, she was at home surrounded by her devoted family. Her beloved husband came and got her and danced her to Heaven. Born and raised in Plainfield, she was a communicant of St. Bernard's Church and a member of their rosary society. A true caregiver, Philomena was involved in all the activities her daughters participated in. She was the leader of the Brownies and cafeteria mother while her daughters were in school. In 1998, she settled to South Plainfield. She will be remembered for her love of family gatherings and of great food she cooked at her home for birthdays, holidays and anytime someone stopped over. She was known for her soft side of caring and understanding with an open heart that welcomes everyone. She often reminded her children and grandchildren to treat everyone fairly and love equally, as it is a good way to live. Predeceased by her husband who died in 2005, Aniello J. Santonastasso; surviving are her four daughters, Rachele Starr and husband Jerry, Patricia Mikell, Loretta Gati and husband Pete all of South Plainfield and Veronica Woodruff and husband John of Winter Haven, Fl; eight grandchildren, Raymond Mikell and wife Kathi, Kenneth Carrier and wife Cookie, Deborah Mikell, Jeffrey Carrier and wife Rita, Veronika Hodges, John Woodruff, Jr., Christopher Gati and wife Kristen and Matthew Gati and Ginarose. She will be missed by her fifteen great grandchildren and sixteenth on the way. And by her beloved caretaker, Halyna, who she fondly called, "My Girl". Funeral services will begin on Monday September 11, 2017 at 9AM in the McCriskin - Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield NJ 07080 followed by a funeral mass at Sacred Heart RC Church at 10AM. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains. Family and friends may attend visitation on Saturday September 9, 2017 from 4-6PM and Sunday September 10, 2017 from 2-5PM in the funeral home.