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Emilia Santillanes "Millie" died Saturday, August 11, 2007, after a sudden illness. She is deeply mourned by Vidal, her husband of 57 years, her family, and the countless people she befriended in her lifetime. Despite our sorrow, we are very grateful for her life, particularly the gift of the past two-and-a-half-years, a much hoped for and much appreciated blessing. In January of 2005, Millie had complications from heart surgery and was hospitalized for six weeks, much of it in a coma. Despite sometimes-bleak prospects, her family kept vigil and advocated for her as she fought her way back to life. Some two months after leaving the hospital, she returned to her full-time jobs as the Albuquerque Director of Cultural Services and the family matriarch. She managed, organized, cooked, counseled, oversaw, delegated, loved, and labored as hard as ever. Just two weeks ago, Millie and Vidal took three of their grandchildren to Disneyland, and it would be difficult to say who had the most fun watching the fireworks, riding the rides, and seeing the sights. These past two-and-a-half years, Millie loved and lived as though she knew her time with us was short and she wanted everyone to enjoy their days as much as she did. Millie had a wonderful life with an adoring husband, a devoted family, and work she enjoyed. Nevertheless, we think we were the lucky ones to have known and been loved by her. She will be missed by her husband Vidal; her eldest son, Abraham and his wife, Janet Santillanes and their children; Genevieve Santillanes, MD, Olivia Neidhardt, and her husband, Peter Niedhardt, and Alexander Santillanes; her son James Santillanes; her daughter, Valerie Santillanes and her children, Gabriel Sciarrotta, Cassandra Sciarrotta, and Giana Santillanes; her son, Eugene and his wife, Cindy Santillanes, and their children, Pablo and Cisco; her daughter, Francine Santillanes and her husband, Patrick Lopez, and their children, Vidal, Rosalia, and Miguel Angel; her daughter, Renee Santillanes and her husband, Rudy Garcia and their children Bianca and Zachary; her son, Dominic Santillanes and his wife, Victoria Vivian and their children, Jacob and Sophia; her daughter, Marina and her husband, Paul Rudolph and their children, Joseph and Jonathon; her brother, Francisco Urrea; her sisters, Isabel Mondragon, Carmen Christian, and Cynthia Hoover and their families; and innumerable friends. Her beloved sister, Maria Teresa Chamberlin preceded her in death. Cremation has taken place. A Rosary will be recited Wednesday, August 15, 2007, 7:00 p.m., at San Felipe Church in Old Town, 2005 Plaza NW. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Thursday, August 16, 2007, 10:00 a.m., at San Felipe Church. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery followed by a reception at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, 2000 Mountain Rd NW, at 1:00 p.m. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
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