Margaret Santulli

Margaret (nee. Hart) Santulli, 92, passed away peacefully in her own bed on November 16, 2022. Margaret was born in Glasgow, Scotland on October 24, 1930. Born and raised in the Riddrie section of Glasgow where she attended Saint Philomena’s Primary School and Garnet Hill Convent Secondary School, Margaret was raised by her mother Catherine and father John. She then moved to the United States as an adult in her early twenties. Margaret was the youngest of six children, and travelled to the States alone, carrying with her the courage and faith taught to her by her older brothers Michael, John, Harry, Jim and Richard.

A kilt maker in Scotland, Margaret took a job as a tailor’s assistant in Ridgewood, New Jersey. It was in Ridgewood where she would meet her future husband John Santulli. Margaret and John met, fell in love, and were married in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church of Ridgewood.

Margaret is predeceased by her loving husband of fifty years John. Devoted mother of son John Micheal and his wife Kimberly, son David, and daughter Catherine. Loving grandmother to Micheal Ray, Jack, Mitchell and Elliott. Cherished aunt to nieces and nephews in Scotland and in the US.

Before retiring to Bay Head, New Jersey, John and Margaret raised their three children on the Westside of Ridgewood. The kids attended Willard Elementary School, where Margaret worked as the Supervisor of Lunch Aids. At 439 Jackson Terrace, Margaret raised her children under her watchful Catholic eye while her husband worked long days running his gas station/auto shop/car wash/truck rental business.

Margaret made an incredible childhood for Catherine, David and John Micheal. The children woke up every day to a breakfast of hot cereal, one soft boiled egg, and apple sauce. Lunches were usually double decker sandwiches, like the busses in Scotland. Dinners consisted of wonderful Italian dishes, recipes learned from her Italian in-laws, or traditional Scottish suppers.

Margaret filled her children’s days with prayer, school work, sports, and constant activity. Sitting around idle was not permitted in Margaret’s house. She took the kids everywhere. She taught them how to play soccer, and “encouraged” her husband John to found the Ridgewood Soccer Association, which he did. She made the kids play musical instruments like the saxophone, clarinet, guitar and cello. She took them to Graydon pool every day during the summer to swim, and back to Graydon in the winter to go ice skating.

And the kids’ friends, all their friends, were always welcome at Jackson Terrace, and then later Osborne Avenue in Bay Head. Margaret was every kid’s mom. There was always a snack or meal for any of the children that stopped by to play, and sometimes a little chore to do as well. Margaret was not afraid to treat, and love, every child like her own. And if you happened to wake up in her home on a Sunday morning, after a big breakfast it was off to church.

Margaret happily transitioned from Mom to Granny. She and John faithfully travelled up the Garden State Parkway to be a part of their grandchildren’s lives, attending games and events. Even in her nineties, Margaret could be found in the bleachers cheering on her grandchildren. She loved babysitting her grandsons (and grand dogs) always giving their behavior an A+ (Pop Pop usually gave them a C).

If you are lucky enough to have known Margaret, then you are also lucky to be part of her family, because that is how she made you feel from the moment you met her. Her Scottish brogue never left her, nor did her love for the Church, for life, for the beach, for sports, for partying, for a glass of wine (or two), for her friends and family, and especially deep and everlasting love for her husband John, who she joins now in Heaven.


A funeral mass will be offered on Monday, November 21, 10:00 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

A repast will follow at Noon, at Valley Burgers and Brew, 640 Westwood Avenue, River Vale, New Jersey.