Darlene M. 'Dee' Santora

Shrewsbury - Dee Santora was a woman predictable in her ways, independent and very content remaining within a few miles of her local zip codes. She loved making her house a home on Saturn Drive in Shrewsbury. Their screened-in porch, the yard and her gardens enabled her to enjoy the wonderful seasons of living in New England, in particular the many summers by the pool with her kids and grandkids.

She loved both sending and receiving greeting cards and was certain to hold onto all of them. Dee was talented with the needle and thread and knew her way around the kitchen with the cooking channel on in the background.

Darlene Marie Dumas was born May 19, 1947 in Worcester, daughter of the late Raymond F. Dumas Sr.and Ruth (Latham) Dumas. A graduate of Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, class of 1965, she remained close to many of her classmates. She was instrumental in organizing every class reunion for her graduating class and she loved that. It kept her in touch with many of her close friends and those with whom she attended school.

She married Shrewsbury native Paul M. Santora on November 1, 1969 in St. Rose of Lima Church in Northborough and they have made Shrewsbury their home since. Prior to staying at home to raise her daughters she worked in accounts payable for Massachusetts Electric Company. She helped her husband, Paul manage his well-known paving company, P.M. Santora Paving for many years.

Change forced its way into her life in January of 2014 when medical issues took precedence and issues with her kidneys required dialysis three times each week. But Dee adapted and in fact became a familiar and much-loved patient at her dialysis centers each and every week for the last seven years.

Dee passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021 in UMASS Medical Center after her long struggle with kidney and heart disease. She was 73.

Her family remains grateful to the medical professionals for their exceptional care of her at UMASS on the 3 Lakeside Cardiac ICU and also to Dr. DelRosario and the staff at DaVita Dialysis Centers in Worcester

In addition to her husband of 51 years, Paul, she leaves her daughters, Pamela L. Santora (Matthew Wood) of Haverhill and Michelle R. Zuno (Christian) of Shrewsbury; her grandchildren, Derek T. DeSouza (Brianna Tarasek), Karli T. and Gabriella T. DeSouza, Justyn P. and Vanessa R. Zuno; her brothers, Raymond F. Dumas Jr. of Sterling and Kevin L. Dumas (Diana) of Roxbury, Connecticut; nieces Christina Dumas (Evan Wright) and Jessica Dumas. She also leaves her dear friend, Mary Joslyn and her close high school friends, who were always by her side and there for support.

Family and friends will honor Darlene's life by gathering for a calling hour on Friday, February 26th from 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. in Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main Street Shrewsbury, followed by her funeral Mass celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.

Those wishing to view Dee's Funeral Mass may do so via this link to be provided: https://my.gather.app/remember/darlene-santora

Memorials in her name may be made to UMass Memorial Office of Philanthropy | Attn: Nephrology Care & Research, 365 Plantation Street, Biotech One, Worcester, MA 01605

Arrangements by James & John Heald.

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Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – a note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love, support and a verbal hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit to the venue where they are held should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance. Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.