Santina Maria Eldin

Santina Maria Eldin (aka Sandy) was born in Agrigento, Sicily on June 15, 1951, to Giuseppe and Concetta Albanese. At age 3, she set sail on a ship bound for the United States with her parents and four older siblings. They settled in Jersey City, NJ, where she eventually earned an art history degree from Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University) and became an art teacher. She was an incredible painter! She taught art in the Jersey City public school system for 12 years, but most enjoyed her time teaching high school students, because she loved the relationships she was able to foster with them. It was during this time that she met and married Alaa S. Eldin, and about a year and a half after giving birth to her first child Sherri in 1986, she retired to devote herself full-time to being a mommy. She then gave birth to her son Ali in 1990, and in 1993, the family relocated to Englewood Cliffs.

Santina’s favorite singer was Tom Jones, and she had seen him live in concert multiple times. She loved her CBS soap operas and movies on the Hallmark Channel (even though she knew how they all ended, she said that they were happy and light and that’s what she liked about them). But above all, she loved her children and lived for them, as they did and will continue to live for her.

Santina was a mother of two but she was a mom to many, and her door was always open to those who needed it. As a Sicilian mother, Sandy always kept the house full of food and never let anyone enter her home without offering countless times to feed them.

With all of our respect, her family asks that instead of sending flowers, that you as well please feed those who are hungry, whether by bringing food to your local food pantry or to a homeless shelter.

Instead of wearing black, wear bright and festive clothing (especially if they’re sparkly) to celebrate Santina’s life and big personality.         

The family will receive their friends on Monday 2-6 PM at the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home 327 Main Street “opposite the Fort Lee Library”.  All are asked to assemble on Tuesday July 9, 2024 10:30 AM  at Holy Trinity RC Church in Fort Lee for the celebration of her funeral mass.   For condolences, directions, or information www.frankpatti.com or call (201) 944-0100.