Margaret Ann (Casey) Santarelli

Margaret Ann (Casey) Santarelli, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in Houston, Texas, on April 27, 2025.

Margaret was born on February 2, 1930, in Casper, Wyoming, to John H. Casey and Margaret Peer Casey. She attended Clarke College, an all-women’s college in Dubuque, Iowa, where she excelled academically and graduated in 1952 with a degree in dietetics.

Following her graduation, Margaret began her career as a dietitian at a hospital in Greeley, Colorado. It was there that she met the love of her life, Robert Santarelli. The two were married on April 21, 1956, and began their family in Greeley. In 1959, they relocated, with their two oldest children, to Arlington, Texas, where they had three additional children. Margaret devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family, her faith, and her community.

Margaret loved gardening, tennis, spending time outdoors and bird watching. She was an passionate environmentalist who marveled at the beauty of the natural world. She loved poetry and enjoyed reading it with her children and grandchildren. She cherished her neighborhood bridge group, which lasted more than 60 years, and the life-long friendships she developed. Her Irish heritage was a source of pride and joy throughout her life.

A lifelong Catholic, Margaret was an active and dedicated member of Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church, where she was honored as Church Woman of the Year in 2004. Her passion for service extended to the broader community through decades of volunteer work.

Margaret was a gentle, thoughtful, and kind person, admired for her generosity, honesty, grace, integrity and unwavering kindness. For her family and friends, the world is a little bit brighter for having known Margaret. She serves as an example of how to persevere, through faith, in challenging and difficult circumstances and how to be grateful for the gifts that God has given to each of us.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, John Casey, Dick Casey, Walter Casey and Mary Mouty and by her husband Robert Santarelli.

Margaret is survived by her five children: Mark Santarelli (Linda), Greg Santarelli (Michelle), Jane St. Andrews (Chris), Ann Campbell (Paul), and Suzie Schroeder (Roland). She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, all of whom were blessed by her love and wisdom. Margaret donated her body to Baylor College of Medicine.