Joan Santos, 58

Joan (Raftery) Santos of Weymouth passed away on March 9. She spent her final days surrounded by friends, family, and all who loved her.

Born August 24, 1963 to the late John M. and Barbara A. (Richardson) Raftery, she was the beloved wife of Carlos Santos, adoring Mom of fur baby Sabathia, devoted sister of J. Michael Raftery and his wife, Hilda, of Groton, W. Paul Raftery of Hingham, Kevin C. Raftery and his wife, Laura, of Rockland, and Susan M. McDonough and her husband, Michael, of Hull. Mrs. Santos was the loving daughter-in-law of the late Luz Teresa Burgos, Angel Manuel Santos, and Josefina Falu Santos, sister-in-law of Lucy Santos, Angel Santos, José Santos, Luis Santos, David Santos, Jessica Santos, and Angel Luis Santos, and the dear aunt of John, Erica, Brian, and Andrew Raftery, Mari McDonough, Eddie, Nydia, and Anthony Gonzalez, Judy Alvarado, and L.J., Chloe, and Angie Santos.

Mrs. Santos was an avid Patriots, N.Y. Yankees, and most recently, Ole Miss Rebels fan. She made sure to never miss a game.  She had a fondness for cooking and mastered many famous family recipes. The family could always count on her to show up to a function with an insulated dish with enough food to feed an army. The same was true for a simple get-together at her home.

She was kind-hearted and always put the needs of others before her own. This was especially true for her nieces and nephews. She always took the time and went out of her way to check in with them. She had an uncanny ability to remember and never missed a special occasion, going as far as sending care packages to them while they were away at school. She will always be remembered as the auntie who thought the kids didn’t have enough to eat while away at school, which was evident when they received a care package and there was an excess number of non-perishable items that could last a year.

Her friends and family will never forget her immense love for cats, taking in what was probably close to 50 strays when she and her husband, Carlos, lived in Puerto Rico. But, in “true Joan fashion,” she knew each and every cat, and gave each of them a name. Mrs. Santos loved her family, sports, trivia, and cats, and she will be sadly missed. 

Services and burial will be private. 

Donations in Mrs. Santos’s name can be made to: Arc of the South Shore, 20 Pond Park Rd., Hingham, MA 02043, Friends of The Homeless of The South Shore, Inc., 8 Driftway, N. Weymouth, MA 02191.

In place of a donation, you may consider adopting a kitten or cat from your local animal shelter in memory of Mrs. Santos. Nothing would please her more.