Mrs. Antonia Tonita Villegas Santiago

March 2, 1929 - February 16, 2021

Antoñia “Toñita” Villegas Santiago, 91, passed peacefully in her sleep 2/16/2021. Born 3/2/1929 in Comerio, Puerto Rico, she was a happy child and expressed a love for studies. She took on the role of a mother figure to her 2 sisters and 2 brothers after losing her parents at age eleven. She is survived by one sibling, Maria, of Hudson, MA. She married the late Eugene Villegas and had four children Iris Ramos, Xiomara Villegas, Angel Villegas and Carlos Villegas. In 1969, she moved from Puerto Rico to Lowell, MA seeking a better life for her family. She is remembered by her four children and two Daughter in Laws, Cindy Villegas and Diane Villegas. She leaves behind nine grandchildren, Linda Berberena, Carlos Berberena, Ernesto Garcia, Josue Berberena, Dilaida Garcia, Mercedes Villegas, Kiomarie Ocasio, Gabriella Nicholson, Kiara Negron, eleven great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandson in laws, granddaughter in laws and friends. Antonia was a home maker and God fearing woman known to many as the pillar of her church, El Nazareno, where she studied theology and was a treasurer for many years. She raised her children and grandchildren with that same love of God by bringing them to church; not only on Sundays, but regularly. She always motivated others to better their lives and believed the people hardest to love needed it the most. She instilled fundamental morals in her children and grandchildren. Without her as the Matriarch of the family, they would not be who they are today. Despite being 91, she also survived and recovered from COVID-19 in 2020 demonstrating her strength and faith. It is with a heavy heart we remember Antoñia, but take comfort that she has gone home to heaven with The Lord.