Obituary for Rita Yolanda Santana
Rita Yolanda Santana, 78, of Wahiawa, Hawaii, passed into glory on February 20, 2023, surrounded by her family.
Rita was born on October 27, 1944 to Florentino and Emeliana Virgeniza in Hoolehua, Molokai. After graduating from Leilehua High School in 1962, she took hula classes at Lucy Lee Hula Studio while briefly working at the Fort DeRussy Officer’s Club. Eventually, she traveled to New York City and was hired to dance at the Hawaiian Room at the Lexington Hotel. She also danced professionally in Florida and Panama.
On May 11, 1968, she married the love of her life, Raymond Santana and settled in Detroit, Michigan. Shortly thereafter, they had three children, Renee, Raymond, and Rachelle. She loved being a wife and mother.
Besides hula, Rita enjoyed dancing Tahitian. She participated in Hilo Fete 2007, a Tahitian competition on the Big Island. She won 1st place in her age group, representing Manutahi Tahiti. She also has been an avid biker since 2003, participating in Run for the Wall/Rolling Thunder with her husband, Raymond.
Rita was predeceased by her parents, Florentino and Emeliana. She is survived by her husband, Raymond and her children, Renee (Neuman), Raymond, and Rachelle (Saito) as well as many grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters and a brother, Patricia Cremer, Gloriana Valera,and Florentino Virgeniza.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Mililani Community Church 95-1100 Kaapeha Street, Mililani, HI 96789. Visitation at 9:30 am Service at 10:30 am.
A private burial for family only will be held on Monday, March 13, 2023 at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery 45-349 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744 at 11 am.
All flowers and cards for the family can be sent in care of: Mililani Community Church
95-1100 Kaapeha Street, Mililani, HI 96789 or call (808)625-6205 to make arrangements.
Rita was born on October 27, 1944 to Florentino and Emeliana Virgeniza in Hoolehua, Molokai. After graduating from Leilehua High School in 1962, she took hula classes at Lucy Lee Hula Studio while briefly working at the Fort DeRussy Officer’s Club. Eventually, she traveled to New York City and was hired to dance at the Hawaiian Room at the Lexington Hotel. She also danced professionally in Florida and Panama.
On May 11, 1968, she married the love of her life, Raymond Santana and settled in Detroit, Michigan. Shortly thereafter, they had three children, Renee, Raymond, and Rachelle. She loved being a wife and mother.
Besides hula, Rita enjoyed dancing Tahitian. She participated in Hilo Fete 2007, a Tahitian competition on the Big Island. She won 1st place in her age group, representing Manutahi Tahiti. She also has been an avid biker since 2003, participating in Run for the Wall/Rolling Thunder with her husband, Raymond.
Rita was predeceased by her parents, Florentino and Emeliana. She is survived by her husband, Raymond and her children, Renee (Neuman), Raymond, and Rachelle (Saito) as well as many grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters and a brother, Patricia Cremer, Gloriana Valera,and Florentino Virgeniza.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Mililani Community Church 95-1100 Kaapeha Street, Mililani, HI 96789. Visitation at 9:30 am Service at 10:30 am.
A private burial for family only will be held on Monday, March 13, 2023 at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery 45-349 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744 at 11 am.
All flowers and cards for the family can be sent in care of: Mililani Community Church
95-1100 Kaapeha Street, Mililani, HI 96789 or call (808)625-6205 to make arrangements.