Lucy Santos, 100 years old, of Manteca California, passed away November 4, 2024, in San Rafael, California during recovery from a fall.  Lucy was born in Ripon, California to Azorean immigrants Jose and Alexandria Rocha Costa. 

   Lucy graduated from Ripon High School and was a drummer in the Marching Band.  Lucy married Joe Santos in 1945, an Azorean immigrant and WWII Purple Heart recipient.  After raising her children Lucy went to work for the San Joaquin County School District for 20 years as a liaison teacher's aid helping to translate between students, parents and teachers utilizing her fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Lucy loved to dance, and you could find her two to three times a week at the community centers or big band events dancing with her dear friend of 25 years Dr. Harry Tammen.  Lucy was always "the bright spot in a room full of people", "always upbeat, happy, smiling and never complained". Lucy brought joy to everyone she met right up until the very day of her passing.

   Lucy was predeceased by her husband Joe, her son; Joel and her daughter Jane. Lucy was the fourth of seven Costa siblings all having preceded her in death, Joe, Alex, Johnnie, Joaquin, Mary Cotta and Alice Grasso. Lucy is survived by daughter Nancy Palecek (Allan), grandchildren Andrew Palecek, Karey Kinnane and Sandy Lague, great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Luke, and Sophia Palecek, Charles, Lincoln, Winnie and Joaquin Kinnane, Grant, Ashly, Alexandrina, Tyeson, Isaiah, great-great-grandchildren Michael, Zander, Shane, Kaylee, Kayden, Annabell, Tyeson Jr, Noah, Easton, Daniel Jr and Niko.

   P.L. Fry and Son is honored to be serving the Santos family. Mass will be Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. St. Anthony's Church in Manteca, California.  Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery in Escalon. For direct condolences to the family visit, www.plfryandson.com

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Saturday, December 14, 2024