Sophie Mary (Forcellati) Santoro

Sophie Mary (Forcellati) Santoro, of Medford, passed away peacefully on Friday April 4, 2025 with her family by her side. She was 98 years of age. Mary, a beloved daughter of Boston's North End, left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She made countless lifelong friends throughout her remarkable journey, fondly known as Sophie to her childhood companions, Mary to many, and lovingly recognized as Mom and Grammy by those closest to her.

In 1950, Mary met the love of her life, Carmine, and they were married at Saint Leonard Church. Their early years together were spent in Somerville, where they began to build their lives before eventually settling in West Medford—a place that held many cherished childhood memories for Mary. It was within the warm embrace of St. Raphael Parish that they raised their three wonderful children, navigating the challenges of parenthood, supported by Mary’s unwavering faith.

Tragedy struck when Mary lost her dear husband after just 26 years of marriage. At the tender age of 49, she found herself facing unimaginable grief. Yet, it was her deep-seated faith and immense courage that helped her persevere during these difficult times. Mary often expressed that she would have gladly traded 25 years of her life for just one more day with Carmine, but fate had a different path for her.

For nearly 30 years, Mary served as a crossing guard with the Medford Police, selflessly caring for children in her community—the same children who would go on to share their lives with hers. She looked out for them not only as their protector but also as a kind and nurturing figure, helping to shape the next generation.

As life continued, Mary faced the bittersweet reality of outliving all her siblings and many cherished friends. However, she had an extraordinary gift for making new friends, radiating warmth and kindness wherever she went.

Upon retirement, Mary embraced her most treasured role: that of Grammy. She took immense pride in sharing her wisdom and guiding her grandchildren through life's little milestones—from learning to tie their shoes to the excitement of driving a car. This joy multiplied when she became Great Grammy, a title that brought her boundless happiness.

As we reflect on Mary's incredible life, we are profoundly grateful to all her friends whose kindness brightened her days and to the caregivers who supported her in her final years, allowing her to remain surrounded by the love of her cherished family.

Mary's legacy of love, faith, and resilience will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

Sophie is the beloved wife of the late Carmine Santoro. She is the cherished mother of Carmine "Chuck" Santoro and his wife Nancy, Anita Hodnett and her husband Paul and Steve Santoro and his wife Christine. Loving grandmother of Christina McElhiney and her husband John, Michelle Malaguti and her husband Paul, Joseph Santoro, Steven Santoro, Jamie Kelly and her husband Conor and Michael Santoro and fiance Jeffrey Santos. Great grandmother of Sophia, Johnny, Olivia, Madelyn, Harper, Jack, Sailor, and Charlie. Dear sister of the late Phyllis Avallone, Guy Forcellati and John Forcellati. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories with her family on Wednesday April 9th, 2025 from 4 pm to 7 pm in St. Raphael Church 512 High St. Medford. A Funeral Mass Celebrating Sophie's Eternal Life will be held on Thursday April 10th, 2025 at 10 am in the church. Interment Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.

Please consider donations in memory of Sophie to the American Heart Association by visiting https://www.heart.org/en or St. Raphael Church by visiting www.saintraphaelparish.org

Eulogy:

On behalf of our family I want to thank everyone for attending mom's services. Where do I begin? Mom said to me a few years ago, "DON'T CRY WHEN I DIE." I will try to honor her wishes. Mom had been widowed for 49 years, but she NEVER stopped taking care of my brothers and me. As kids, Chuck, Steven and I often tried to get her angry at one of us. It didn't work. She would take out her wooden spoon pretending she was going to paddle our butts, she never did. We could not rattle her.

As we got older, she made sure each of us graduated from college without having any loans to repay. She paid for my wedding and contributed generously to my brother's weddings. She did all this as a single mother. Mom NEVER complained, never thought "poor me" and never had a bad word to say about anyone.

Whenever any of us ran out of supplies of any kind, we would go down to mom's basement and shop for whatever we needed. It was always well-stocked and replenished continually.

As her grandchildren were born, she began babysitting. Every week, without fail, she supplied a package of diapers and baby wipes for each grandchild, until they were trained. Unfortunately, Michael took longer than everyone else but mom still kept her supplies going.

At one of our family pool parties, Michael threw a towel into the water and his brother tried to rescue it. Christine was so angry with Michael, she immediately brought Michael upstairs, into our den for a "Time Out." As soon as Grammy saw him watching from the window, that everyone else was having fun, she set him free, much to his mother's dissatisfaction. Grammy always came to the rescue.

Unfortunately, Chuck is not able to be with us, today, but he is in our thoughts and prayers and his presence is felt here, today. Chuck, we love you and we pray for you, daily.

Paul never hesitated to help us take of mom. He often left the office early, to help us bring mom to doctor's appointments or to be with her so I could run errands or go grocery shopping. Paul was always there for her. BUT the most AMAZING thing was how mom always said he made the BEST Blueberry English muffins for her, every weekend, not too bad for someone who can barely boil water. Mom often said, "Paul is a "Gem"!

Mom loved Saint Raphael's parish. She was a crossing guard for twenty-eight (28) years at the school and she would proudly tell everyone that she loved her job and it was the best job anyone could have. She safely crossed a generation of children and some cases, the children of those children.

After she retired as a crossing guard, she was at church for daily Mass and would meet with her church friends and go for coffee or to the senior center. Beside her family, Saint Raphael's was the center of her life. It is fitting that we celebrate her life here today.

I am eternally grateful to mom's heath aids and nurses, especially "My Rosie", Katie, Edna, Fauze, whose names she could not remember, she called her "Honey." I could have not taken care of mom without them. I would always say to them, "I'm the private and you're the generals." They were AWSOME! Mom loved them and they loved mom!

Up until her last breath, she always put her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren ahead of herself. Mom Never had a bad word to say about anyone. Mom passed peacefully last Friday, and will now be with her husband, our Dad, eternally.