Santa Galarza

Santa Virginia Galarza, aged 86, completed her earthly journey and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Born on May 20, 1940, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Santa was the daughter of Angelino Galarza and Marcolina Rivera and the beloved sister of Rosa, Miguel and Carmen. She spent the first twenty years of her life in Puerto Rico, where she began building the foundation of the family she would cherish throughout her life. In 1960, Santa moved to Long Branch, New Jersey, seeking greater opportunities for herself and her growing family. Through perseverance, determination, and unwavering faith, she built a life centered on love, family, and devotion to God. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished matriarch whose influence will continue to be felt for generations. Although born deaf and mute, Santa never allowed those challenges to define her life. Instead, she demonstrated that love, kindness, and compassion transcend words. Through her warm smile, gentle spirit, and caring nature, she touched the lives of everyone who knew her and became a beloved member of her family and community.

Family was the center of Santa's life. She deeply loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. Her home was a place of warmth, acceptance, and togetherness, where lasting memories were made and family bonds were strengthened. Above all, Santa was a woman of deep and unwavering faith. A prayer warrior and faithful servant of God, she lived her life guided by her love for the Lord. Her steadfast faith inspired those around her and taught her family the importance of prayer, trust in God, and remaining faithful through every season of life. Santa found great joy in her creative pursuits. She loved sewing and knitting clothes for Barbie dolls and proudly displayed her handmade creations for family and friends to admire. She also treasured her collection of animal and human figurines, carefully arranged in a glass display case in her home. These hobbies reflected her creativity, patience, and appreciation for life's simple blessings.

Santa is survived by her loving children, Luis, Mary, Julio, Andrea and Yvette; her cherished grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, relatives, and friends who were blessed by her love and presence. Santa will be remembered for her loving heart, generous spirit, unwavering faith, and devotion to her family. Her legacy of love, prayer, and strength lives on through the many lives she touched. While her presence will be deeply missed, her memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." — Romans 12:10

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ, 07306 (For GPS it is best to use our parking lot address: 14 Stagg St.). Entombment will be on Monday, June 15, 2026, 12:00 p.m. at Hollywood Memorial Park, 1500 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ 07083.