Olga "Mary" Santiago

Olga “Mary” Santiago, 86, of Newport, North Carolina, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Crystal Coast Hospice House.

A funeral mass to honor Mary’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 22nd at Annunciation Catholic Church in Havelock with Rev. Jim Buchholz presiding. Interment will follow at Forest Oaks Memorial Gardens in Havelock. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service with a Rosary Service beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Born on November 20, 1938, in Mabaruma, Guyana, South America, Mary was the daughter of the late Frank and Johanna Santiago. Throughout her life, she demonstrated remarkable strength as a devoted single mother of two, working diligently to provide for her family.

Mary was a devoted Catholic woman whose unwavering faith and powerful prayers were the strength of her being. She had a heart for others and always reached out to those less fortunate, generously sharing her blessings with countless families.

The joy in Mary’s heart was seen through her laughter, which brought smiles to everyone around her. An exceptional cook, she was renowned for her traditional Guyanese dishes, including her famous Pepper Pot and baked bread, which she lovingly prepared for family and friends.

Mary’s legacy of compassion and generosity will continue to inspire those she touched. She will be remembered as a beautiful woman whose love enriched the lives of everyone she met—a loving and caring mother, as well as a proud and supportive grandmother and great-grandmother. Her extraordinary life of kindness will forever be remembered in the hearts of her family and friends.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her daughter, Andrea Gariba (Raymond) of Newport, NC; sister, Linda Santiago of Venezuela; sister-in-law, Olinda Santiago of Guyana; grandchildren, Christine Gariba, Timothy Gariba (Jamie), Tiffanny Deslauriers (John), and Christopher Gosira; great grandchildren, Javien, Julicia, Zaiden, Namine, Julius, Kyri, Adrianne, Mila, Benjamin, Nicolas, Michael, Alexander, Shane and Shennel; dear friends, Eva Glennon (Timothy); nieces and nephews, Dionne, Elenita, Jennifer, Cleova and siblings, Leslie and Stephen, all of Guyana, Denise and Lloyd of Venezuela, and Romalda of Canada; and many more loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sister, Letitia Small; brothers, Paul Santiago, Ivan Santiago, and Arthur Santiago; son, Christopher Goveia; and grandchildren, Adrianne Gariba, Beneditia Gariba, and Harold Gariba.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.