Age 97, of Penns Grove, NJ, died peacefully at Manor Care Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, December 30, 2021.
Santa was born to Francesca DiGiulo and Franco Gioia in Valle San Giovani, Providence of Teramo located in the Central Region of Italy. She lived in Italy until 1938, when at the age of 14, she migrated to America with her brother, Vincent and her mother, Francesca, to meet with her brother, Tony, and her father, Franco. She settled in Penns Grove.
Santa worked at a sewing factory until she met the love of her life, Attilio Mattucci. They married in Toronto, Canada, and honeymooned at Niagara Falls.
Santa is survived by her daughter, Lisa Houghton (Mattucci) and her husband, John, and her grandson, Aaron Houghton.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 2503 Centerville Road, Wilmington, on Thursday, January 6, at 11:30 am. A viewing will take place at the church on Thursday morning from 10:00-11:00 am. Interment will be at Lawnside Cemetery, 1017 Route #40, Piles Grove, NJ 08098
Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home
302.994.9614