Raimunda Sousa was born on June 24, 1924 in Sao Luis, in the northeastern state of Maranhao, Brazil. She later moved to Rio de Janeiro, where she helped raise Nadya and Isidoro Aguiar. She and the Aguiar family moved to the United States in 1957, settling in Miami. Raimunda made Miami her home until 1975,Continue Reading
Raimunda Sousa was born on June 24, 1924 in Sao Luis, in the northeastern state of Maranhao, Brazil. She later moved to Rio de Janeiro, where she helped raise Nadya and Isidoro Aguiar. She and the Aguiar family moved to the United States in 1957, settling in Miami. Raimunda made Miami her home until 1975, when she moved to New York to join Nadya and Franco Filippelli in raising first Vanessa, and then Francesca.
In her 102 incredible years of life, she was predeceased by her mother, Maria Jose de Sousa; her very best friend, Maria Jose Deruiz Pinto; and her beloved Isidoro Aguiar, as well as countless others who filled her life with joy. Along with close friends and family from New York to Sao Luis, she leaves behind her daughter of the heart, Nadya Filippelli; two granddaughters Vanessa Filippelli and Francesca Carson; and their father Franco, who was like a son to her. Finally, she leaves behind five precious great-grandchildren — Alanna, Olivia, Lucy, Ben and Henry — all of whom are her legacy.
Raimunda, also known as “Santa” or “Santinha,” was loved and cherished by all who knew her. Our hearts are broken with the knowledge that even 102 years does not feel like enough time with our Baba.
Marcelina
left a message on August 23, 2026:
Paz e Luz para minha tia amada!!! Saudades!!
Trisha Brandao
left a message on August 21, 2026:
Sending you healing prayers and comfort hugs in this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Santa will be missed and always be remember !
ELEANOR MCFARLANE
left a message on August 20, 2026:
My Condolences i am very sorry for your loss
Planning ahead is prudent. Call us now.
Leila Costa de Almeida
left a message on August 20, 2026:
Santa,
Foi assim que te conheci "Santa", batalhadora, incansável, alegre e aprendi muito com você!
Agradeço o carinho que sempre foi sua marca registrada, no meu coração !
Jamais te esquecerei!
Descansa em paz!
Eleanor MCFARLANE
left a message on August 20, 2026:
In memory of Raimunda Sousa, Eleanor MCFARLANE lit a candle
Carlos Collanieri
left a message on August 20, 2026:
In memory of Raimunda Sousa, Carlos Collanieri lit a candle
Elizabeth Rodriguez
left a message on August 19, 2026:
The Rodriguez family sends condolences to Vanessa and all of Santa’s family and friends. She was such a joy to be around; such a kind, caring individual.
Jerusa Casanova
left a message on August 19, 2026:
My deepest condolences. I always think and talk about her. I have such great memories of her. May she rest in peace
Erminia Pulitano
left a message on August 19, 2026:
Our condolences to the family who loved her dearly.
She will be missed, may she rest in a well deserved peace.
Erminia and family
Zulmira Muzzio
left a message on August 19, 2026:
Deus recolheu a Santa que tanto bem fez nestes 102 anos de vida vividos para amar e dar carinho a todos. Santa fará muita falta. Apesar de ter apenas conhecido Santa e ter estado com ela apenas tres vezes, pude perceber sua grandeza de alma, sabedoria e seu amor pelo Nosso Deus e Pai. Suas fervorosas orações tocaram o coração de muitos. A você Nadia e toda tua família envio meus mais sinceros sentimentos por perda tão grande. Que o Senhor Jesus console os vossos corações, trazendo paz e a certeza de que o grande amor de vocês pela Santa permitiu que ela pudesse viver por 102 anos com um coração cheio de alegria. Deus abençoe vocês .
Noemi Sakitani
left a message on August 19, 2026:
In memory of Raimunda Sousa, Noemi Sakitani lit a candle
Beatriz, Altair, Marcus, Carol, and the entire Deruiz Pinto family
left a message on August 19, 2026:
She wasn’t our aunt by blood, but she was always our aunt by heart, and such a loving and present part of our lives.
When I moved to NYC, I knew I would never be alone. I knew that, if I ever needed anything, Tia Santinha would be there for me. And she was, with Tia Nadya, from the very moment I stepped foot at JFK.
Today, even knowing that she has finally found peace, I cry because I know I will no longer receive her phone calls. But at the same time, I find comfort in knowing that she lived a life surrounded by the people she loved and that she was so deeply loved by all of us.
Now, what remains are the longing, the stories, the memories, and, forever, the voice messages she would always leave for me.
I also feel incredibly grateful and fulfilled knowing that I had the opportunity to introduce Marcus to her and that he got to meet someone who was so important to me.
I want you all to know that we will be forever grateful for all the love, kindness, and warmth she has always shown us. And I am especially grateful that she was my family here in “America” (her proud way to say it). And of course, thank you all for opening your homes for us and treating us the same way she did.
With all our love and gratitude to the entire family.
Roberto Nogueira e Carlos Colanieri
left a message on August 18, 2026:
Gonna miss you, my Queen.
Anasthacia Ferreira
left a message on August 18, 2026:
Our deep condolences . I still can not believe she is no longer with us . May she rest in peace . Her legacy will remain in our hearts .
Roberto (Junior)
left a message on August 18, 2026:
Great person! A lot of memories from out conversations about everything. Loved to talk about the movie Godfather.
Planning ahead is prudent. Call us now.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Show More
×
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Marcelina
left a message on August 23, 2026:
Paz e Luz para minha tia amada!!! Saudades!!
Trisha Brandao
left a message on August 21, 2026:
Sending you healing prayers and comfort hugs in this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Santa will be missed and always be remember !
ELEANOR MCFARLANE
left a message on August 20, 2026:
My Condolences i am very sorry for your loss
Planning ahead is prudent. Call us now.
Leila Costa de Almeida
left a message on August 20, 2026:
Santa,
Foi assim que te conheci "Santa", batalhadora, incansável, alegre e aprendi muito com você!
Agradeço o carinho que sempre foi sua marca registrada, no meu coração !
Jamais te esquecerei!
Descansa em paz!
Eleanor MCFARLANE
left a message on August 20, 2026:
In memory of Raimunda Sousa, Eleanor MCFARLANE lit a candle
Carlos Collanieri
left a message on August 20, 2026:
In memory of Raimunda Sousa, Carlos Collanieri lit a candle
Elizabeth Rodriguez
left a message on August 19, 2026:
The Rodriguez family sends condolences to Vanessa and all of Santa’s family and friends. She was such a joy to be around; such a kind, caring individual.
Jerusa Casanova
left a message on August 19, 2026:
My deepest condolences. I always think and talk about her. I have such great memories of her. May she rest in peace
Erminia Pulitano
left a message on August 19, 2026:
Our condolences to the family who loved her dearly.
She will be missed, may she rest in a well deserved peace.
Erminia and family
Zulmira Muzzio
left a message on August 19, 2026:
Deus recolheu a Santa que tanto bem fez nestes 102 anos de vida vividos para amar e dar carinho a todos. Santa fará muita falta. Apesar de ter apenas conhecido Santa e ter estado com ela apenas tres vezes, pude perceber sua grandeza de alma, sabedoria e seu amor pelo Nosso Deus e Pai. Suas fervorosas orações tocaram o coração de muitos. A você Nadia e toda tua família envio meus mais sinceros sentimentos por perda tão grande. Que o Senhor Jesus console os vossos corações, trazendo paz e a certeza de que o grande amor de vocês pela Santa permitiu que ela pudesse viver por 102 anos com um coração cheio de alegria. Deus abençoe vocês .
Noemi Sakitani
left a message on August 19, 2026:
In memory of Raimunda Sousa, Noemi Sakitani lit a candle
Beatriz, Altair, Marcus, Carol, and the entire Deruiz Pinto family
left a message on August 19, 2026:
She wasn’t our aunt by blood, but she was always our aunt by heart, and such a loving and present part of our lives.
When I moved to NYC, I knew I would never be alone. I knew that, if I ever needed anything, Tia Santinha would be there for me. And she was, with Tia Nadya, from the very moment I stepped foot at JFK.
Today, even knowing that she has finally found peace, I cry because I know I will no longer receive her phone calls. But at the same time, I find comfort in knowing that she lived a life surrounded by the people she loved and that she was so deeply loved by all of us.
Now, what remains are the longing, the stories, the memories, and, forever, the voice messages she would always leave for me.
I also feel incredibly grateful and fulfilled knowing that I had the opportunity to introduce Marcus to her and that he got to meet someone who was so important to me.
I want you all to know that we will be forever grateful for all the love, kindness, and warmth she has always shown us. And I am especially grateful that she was my family here in “America” (her proud way to say it). And of course, thank you all for opening your homes for us and treating us the same way she did.
With all our love and gratitude to the entire family.
Roberto Nogueira e Carlos Colanieri
left a message on August 18, 2026:
Gonna miss you, my Queen.
Anasthacia Ferreira
left a message on August 18, 2026:
Our deep condolences . I still can not believe she is no longer with us . May she rest in peace . Her legacy will remain in our hearts .
Roberto (Junior)
left a message on August 18, 2026:
Great person! A lot of memories from out conversations about everything. Loved to talk about the movie Godfather.
Planning ahead is prudent. Call us now.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
×
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.
