Rao, Santina (Morelli)
Santina (Morelli) Rao, 89, of Southington, died peacefully on Thursday, December 29, 2022, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Joseph “Joe” A. Rao and daughter of the late Antonio and Frances (Blancato) Morelli. She was born in New Britain and was a 1952 graduate of New Britain High School. Santina (Sandy) was a talented sales clerk and met Joe working at his father’s clothing store, Anthony Rao’s, in New Britain. She and Joe raised their family in Newington. She retired from New Britain General Hospital after many years of dedicated service as an anesthesia technician. After 47 years, Sandy and Joe moved to Southington. She was a longtime member of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Newington, and more recently of St. Dominic Church in Southington. Her faith was an important pillar in her life.
She had a passion for music, dancing, mahjong, tennis, and an occasional harrowing downhill ski run with her family. She was a wonderful cook, and conversation centered around Santina in the kitchen. Many hold a fond memory of her spirited gesturing with a wooden spoon in her hand.
She was an active part of the lives of her family and close friends. Sandy was always alert to the well-being of her loved ones—if you didn’t check in during a storm, you could surely expect a phone call. Her big heart, gentle wisdom, and bright smile were steady comforts, and she filled any room with joy.
Santina was close with her siblings and their children all their lives. She loved impromptu, raucous car rides with her dear brother-in-law Fuzzy, Joe, and sisters, Tina and Sarah. They shared vacations, holidays, and started a generational tradition of gathering their growing families together on Christmas Eve.
A loving wife and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she leaves Joe, her husband of 62 years; her five children, Laura Taricani and husband Michael of Southington, Maria Rao of Stratford, Anton Rao and wife Christina of Cheshire; Christian Rao of Wallingford; and Daria Mondo and husband Scott of Southington; grandchildren Darren, Adria, Brandon, Samantha, Brynna, Michaela, Anthony, and Gabriella, and six great-grandchildren. She also leaves cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was predeceased by her brother, Carl Morelli, and two sisters, Tina Failla and Sarah Cugno.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, from 6pm to 8pm at Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Avenue, Newington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at 11:30am, directly at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 183 Church Street, Newington. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude. org. To share your sympathies, please visit us at www. duksa.net.