Obituary of Cecilia Perez Santos

Cecilia Perez Santos was born on May 28, 1943 in Hollister, CA to Mary & Ernesto Perez.  Her family migrated with the crops during her childhood so she grew up in Salinas, Watsonville, Hanford and Modesto. Her mom Mary married Rodrigo Pena and they settled in Salinas.  She attended El Sausal Jr. High School and graduated from Salinas High in 1962. She worked for a brief period of time at the Fashion Clothing store in Oldtown Salinas, when Priscilla Martinez asked her to fill out an application as a teller at Monterey Savings & Loan. She found her calling and worked in the banking industry for over 35 years.  In 1990, she married the love of her life Alfred (Sonny) Santos and they made their home in Prunedale.  

 

Over the years, Cecilia was involved in her children’s activities, from Room Mother at Echo Valley School, to Little League where she became President of North County Little League Softball for a brief period.  Her banking career moved her all over the region, working in branches in Salinas, Castroville, Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach & Gilroy.  

 

She and Sonny loved to travel, camping in Yosemite, trips to NYC, Washington DC, Hawaii, Bryce Canyon & Zion National Forest, Las Vegas, Reno for Hot August Nights and to visit family in Stockton, Las Cruces, Hanford, LA and El Paso to name a few. 

 

She was a devoted mom, wife and Ma C.  She loved to attend all her kids activities, little league, plays, birthdays, graduations, and all get togethers.  She did it all with her grace, smile, and positive attitude.  Everyone who knew her said CeCe was the sweetest and kindest person they ever met.  She loved music especially her favorite singer Tom Jones.

 

CeCe passed away unexpectedly on February 18, at her home with Sonny by her side.  She is preceded in death by her mom & dad Rodrigo & Mary Pena, Father Ernesto Perez, Brother Ernest E. Perez, Jr., Mother-in-Law Maria Santos and is survived by her husband of 32 years Alfred Santos, Sr., sons Tim Martinez, Mark (Susana) Martinez, daughters Yvonne Martinez, Angela (Marty) Woolem, Jennifer (Rafael) Perez, and Alfred Santos Jr. Her grandchildren Elisa, Gabriella, & Mark Martinez, Jr.; Stephanie Aguirre, Travis, Carlee & Christopher Woolem; Danica, Alfred, Gabriel, Mateo & Jacob Santos; Vanessa & Rafael Perez; Kristina & Erica Buenrostro; great grandchildren Owen Woolem Estigoy, Jeremiah & D’Angelo McClair, Zoey, Lucas & Leila Lowery and her sister Charlotte Varela.  Viewing will be at Healey Mortuary in Salinas on Thursday, March 3 from 1 – 5pm with a brief service at 3pm.  Services will take place Friday, March 4 at noon at Healey Mortuary followed by burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Prunedale.  Flowers arranged thru Swenson & Silacci Florists in Salinas. 

 

 

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