- Date Of Birth: June 15, 1925
- Date Of Death: November 22, 2020
- Spouse: William J Santoro
- Children: Phillip L Santoro
- City: Port Chester
- State: New York
Vita Portanova was born on 6/15/1925 to Vito and Carmella Portnova (nee Labella) in Port Chester, New York.
She was the youngest of four girls, Rose, Maria Gertrude, Angelina. From a young age, she stayed heavily involved in the church and community. In high school, she met William J Santoro whom she would later marry on April 27 1946 after William served in the US Marine Corps during WW2. They welcomed their first son Michael Anthony Santoro on March 9th, 1947, and their second Phillip Leonard Santoro on January 6th, 1951.
Vita contributed to the family with jobs at Life Savers, Empire Brush Company, and retired from United Hospital of Port Chester. She was widowed in 1978 and later moved to Florida to be close to her sisters. On February 6th, 1998 she married Angelo D. Russello and spent their time traveling and being active in their community. She was widowed in July 2018 and moved to Johns Creek to spend time with her family.
Vita was a very religious woman and could be found with her prayer books and a rosary. She believed in the power of prayer and would often share that with her family. Her hobbies included cooking, crosswords, bragging about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her son Phillip L Santoro, Plantation FL, daughter-in-law Joanne Santoro, Johns Creek Ga. Grandchildren Michael (Stephanie) Santoro Marietta, GA, Jacqueline (Thomas) Kreutzer Lawrenceville, Ga, Kathryn (Joseph) McCoy Las Vegas, NV, William Santoro, Johns Creek, GA, Mary Beth Santoro Johns Creek, Ga, Samantha (Thomas) Davenport, Auburn GA. Great Grandchildren Sophia, Jackson, Christopher, Abby, Wyatt, and Andrew.
