Obituary of Ms. Francis Echavarria

November 28, 2019

It is with great sadness that the family of Francia Santana Marte de Echavarria, also known as Francis, announces that she passed away on Thursday 28 November 2019 after a long period of illness.

The funeral service will be held at St. Paul The Apostle's Church at 405 West 59thStreet in New York City on December 7, 2019, at 12:30 PM. A visitation will be held at Crestwood Funeral Home at 445 West 43rdStreet in New York City between the hours of 4:00 and 8:00 PM on Friday, December 6. Crestwood Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.

Francia was born in The Dominican Republic on August 7, 1938. Francia received a grammar school education after which she began her working life. She lived in the Dominican Republic until immigrating to the United States in 1968.

Francia was married to and is survived by, Marino Echavarria and they were married until divorced in 1988. She never remarried.

Francia worked for over 25 years in the garment industry in New York as a seamstress specializing in leather goods. She worked for the same firm for all of those years and was a highly valued and beloved employee of the business

Francia did not have any personal hobbies or interests of note other than the love and dedication she had for her family. Throughout her life, she saw to it that her immediate and extended family were given the best chances at a successful and happy life. In the late 1960s, she worked with her husband to bring over from the Dominican Republic their children to the United States. They rejoined their parents in March 1970 and Francia and Marino then sacrificed to put them through a private education. In the early 1980s, Francia secured American citizenship for her and her children and also navigated the difficult process to bring her two brothers, and later other family members, to the United States. In her latter years, Francia was a member of her local senior center and took an active and leading role in supporting her fellow members.
Francia is survived by her children, Miriam Haller, Amable John Echavarria and Marina Echavarria, her brother Herasmo Santana Marte, and the father of her children and former husband Marino Echavarria. She is also survived by her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, grandnephews, sister-in-law, sons-in-law and friends
Francia is preceded in death by her mother Juana Santana Marte and her brother Rafael Santana Marte
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital.

The family wish to thank the clinical and support staff of Mount Sinai West Medical Center for the skilled and loving treatment she received while under their care; throughout her illness but particularly in her final days.

Funeral Services

Visitation

December 6, 2019

4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Crestwood Funeral Home

445 West 43rd Street

New York, NY 10036

Get Directions

Funeral Mass

December 7, 2019

12:30 PM to 1:30 AM

The Church of St. Paul the Apostle

405 W. 59th Street

New York, NY 10019

Get Directions

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She was a tough Mom but underlying everything was a strong awareness of how much she loved me and my brother and sister. We meant everything to her. She sacrificed so we wouldn't have to. Instead of letting us go to public school, they sacrificed to send us to private school even though it was tough many times to make that tuition payment on time. When everyone else had left the area, I stayed close and we became great friends. I saw her through all of her medical procedures, appointments, trials and we fought together. What brings me the most peace is that in the end she died gently in her sleep with a beautiful view of the City she loved so much and would never think of leaving. I love you Mom. I know you are looking over us now and that I have a new Angel to watch over me and the boys.


Posted by: MARINA ECHAVARRIA - Bordentown, NJ - December 2, 2019

We were so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet such wonderful and inspirational women. God bless you Francis and may you rest in peace.


Posted by: Katie,AJ,Bella Adams - London, UK, - December 4, 2019

She now belongs to the Lord. Francis, may you Rest In Peace. My prayers go to the entire family.


Posted by: Plinio Ayala - Highland Mills, NY - December 5, 2019