Julia Santiago

March 31, 1932 ~ August 15, 2025

Newburgh, NY

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Julia Guzman Santiago, 93, at her home surrounded by family on August 15, 2025.

Born on March 31, 1932 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Julia was the daughter of the late Pedro Guzman Leboy and Juanita Rodriguez.

She was a talented seamstress and pattern maker who moved to New York City in 1950 and was wed to her beloved late husband Carlos Santiago on January 1, 1955.

She is survived by her sister Juanita Guzman Caquais, children Yvette Mortensen and Carlos Santiago Jr., son-in-law Eric Mortensen, granddaughters Melissa and Michelle Mortensen, and great-grandson Joshua Byers.

Julia was known for her incredible cooking skills, especially her Puerto Rican dishes. Delicious! Every meal prepared was an act of love bringing joy to family and friends alike. This culinary talent was one of the ways that she showed her warmth and kindness.

In addition to her love of cooking, she had an extraordinary gift for textile arts including sewing, quilting, needlepoint, and crochet. She continued with these talents long after she retired and passed on her creative skills to her family who will keep these traditions alive.

She was a remarkable woman who will be remembered for her warmth, kindness and loving spirit. The bond she shared with her family and friends will be cherished by all and is a testament to her dedication to those she held dear. She will be missed dearly by everyone who had the good fortune to know her.

We will honor her memory on August 22, 2025 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave, Newburgh, NY.

Visitation is from 1-2pm. Funeral Home Service at 2pm, Graveside service at 2:30pm.

Graveside Service will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Route 9W, Newburgh, NY.

May her soul rest in peace, and her memory continue to inspire us.