Obituary of Laura M. Santamaria

Laura M. (Siclari) Santamaria, age 88, died on Sunday May 4, 2014, at Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains. Born and raised in Newark, she had lived in East Orange, Cranford and Clark before moving to Martinsville seventeen years ago. Prior to retiring Laura had been a secretary for American Mutual Insurance Company and then Foxboro in Clark. Laura was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville and was part of the Rosary Altar Society and the Council of Catholic Women. Laura loved spending time with her family and taking vacations together. Laura had many talents and was meticulous in her sewing, cooking and baking. Laura's involvement and presence at extended family gatherings was a source of great enjoyment for her. Predeceased by her husband Alexander Santamaria in 2002 and her brother Dick Siclari. Surviving is her daughter Lorraine Colarusso and her husband Vincent and her grandchildren Steven, Evan and Peter Colarusso; sisters Margaret Moretti, Angela Ciarlone and Rose Zukowski and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 8th, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, Martinsville. Interment will follow at St. Gertrude's Cemetery, Colonia. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Donations in her name can be made to: Center for Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, 1900 Raritan Rd., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076.