Maria A. Santos

Maria A. Santos, 88, of Lehigh Acres died Sunday October 11, 2009. Santos was born in Comerio, Puerto Rico on June 27, 1921. She graduated from Pedro Notiz High School in 1938 and came to New York in 1939. She was the first Puerto Rican woman principal in the Bronx, working for the board of education. In 1971, she was listed in the “Who’s Who in America” book and was interviewed by talk show host Geraldo Riviera. In 1987, Santos retired from teaching after 36 years and moved to Florida in 1990.

Survivors include her husband of 69 years, Carmelo; children, Carmel Santos Jr. and his wife Lydia, Rosemary Bolla and her husband James; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and 11 brothers and sisters.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday October 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Lehigh Acres with interment to follow at Lee Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and again between 6 and 8 p.m. and on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home, 12777 State Rd 82.