NAUGATUCK- It is with heavy hearts that the family of Ms. Carolyn R. Santos, age 85, say farewell for now to our beloved mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, sister, aunt and auntie, who passed peacefully at Saint Mary’s Hospital on Thursday, September 3, 2026, surrounded by the love and comfort of her beloved family.

Carolyn was born on August 8, 1941, in Providence, Rhode Island, the beloved daughter of the late Peter J. Santos Sr., and Ginlia “Julia” (Araujo) Santos of New Haven, Connecticut. She lived in various locations before calling Waterbury her home. She was a dedicated factory worker at Uniroyal in Naugatuck, Connecticut for many years, where she also began training at Southbury Connecticut Training School. After leaving Uniroyal, she devoted her career as a Personal Caregiver at Southbury Training School, where she made a remarkable impact by helping individuals who faced unique challenges. Her compassion and kindness extended beyond her professional life, as her family was always an anchor in her life. She enjoyed watching Soap Operas, her luncheons with her Southbury coworkers and traveling, especially on cruises with her friends and family. Top of Form

May her legacy of kindness, love, and joy continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched. May she rest in peace, knowing she made a difference in this world.

Left to cherish and honor her memory are her children: Valerie Santos, Angela R. Saunders, James “Big Jay” E. Saunders Jr., Latasha “Peaches” M. Brown, Cozette “Chick” Brown and Brian “B Boy” Brown; all of Waterbury and her sisters: Faith Santos-Thomas of Hamden, Connecticut and Mary Payne of Virginia byway of New Haven, Connecticut. She also leaves behind a host of grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members and friends. She was predeceased by her former husband James E. Saunders Sr. of Waterbury, her brother Peter Santos Jr. of New Haven, Connecticut her grandchildren; Raquel N. Saunders and Christopher Stevenson of Waterbury, Connecticut, her sister Gloria Burke of Waterbury, Connecticut and her nephew Guy N. Thomas of Boston, MA byway of New Haven, Connecticut.

Funeral services for Ms. Santos will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care 1987 East Main St Waterbury CT 06705. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects and visit with Carolyn’s family on Tuesday from 2:30 pm until the service begins at 3:00 p.m at the funeral home. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of her family. In this time of reflection, the family welcomes all who knew and loved Carolyn to share messages of condolence, comfort, and cherished memories. Please visit the funeral home's tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com to connect with the family or honor their loved one’s memory with floral arrangements and other gifts of condolence.