Santa Teresa Talerico Monaco was born on June 9, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. In 1926, she and her family moved to Gilroy, where she worked in the local cannery. Santa and her family later moved to San Jose where she ran her own small market and worked in the canneries with her mother. In 1943, Santa married Colardo Monaco and moved to San Martin. They owned a neighborhood grocery store in Morgan Hill and grew prunes and grapes on their ranch in San Martin. Santa and Colardo raised three children and shared 33 years together until he passed away in 1976. After her children were grown, Santa worked at the San Martin School Cafeteria. In her younger years, Santa loved to cook and bake, and her home was always filled with friends and family. In her later years, she had more time to enjoy her life-long passion for gardening. She also enjoyed visiting with her friends at the Morgan Hill Senior Center. On January 11, 2008, the Angels carried Santa home.
Santa is survived by her daughters, Rose Arnaudo of Monte Sereno(and her husband Don), and Antoinette Barker of Boulder Creek (and her husband Don); her son John Monaco of San Martin (and his wife Nora); her brothers, Frank and Sam Talerico of San Jose, her grandsons, John A. Monaco, Stefan Arnaudo, and Mathew Monaco; her granddaughters, Andrea Barker, Anna Arnaudo, Cladia Leon; seven great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Her brothers, Felix and Tony Talerico, preceded Santa in death.
With her playful attitude, hearty appetitie, and avid gardening, you would never believe that she was 97 years old. Santa’s stories of times passed, her strong will, and her outlook on life is an inspiration to those who love her. Santa’s life was in many ways a plentiful harvest. What she planted here on Earth will forever stay with us.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 from 4 – 8pm, with a vigil service at 7pm, both at Johnson Funeral Home, 17720 Monterey St, Morgan Hill. A funeral mass will take place on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 10am at St. Catherine’s Parish in Morgan Hill. Interment will follow at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery in Santa Clara.
