Norma Santos, age 86, went to heaven on Mother's Day, May 13, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Merced, California, on November 10, 1931, Norma was the eldest of Antonia and Rudolph Schneider's three children. After graduating from St. Joseph's High School Academy, where she excelled in art, she worked for Zellerbach Paper Company where her illustrating talent was used in marketing publications. In 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Alexander Santos, and settled in Sacramento, California where they raised their five children. Norma was a very hardworking, devoted wife and mother, who centered her life around her family and their many activities. A devout Catholic, Norma was a model of strength who lived her faith daily. In 1972, to help her children attend Catholic school, Norma took a full- time night shift job with the Department of Justice where she worked for 20 years. In retirement, Norma enjoyed doll making and collecting, long walks, good food and time with her family.

Norma is survived by her husband of 60 years, Alex Santos, her children, Cathy Cepress (Randy), Barbara Santos-Johnson (Mark), Laura Reidenbach (Ed), and Alex Santos (Anita). She so loved her family gatherings with her nine grandchildren, Carl (Kara), Jon (Eunju), Allissa (Albert), Patrick, Andy (Jen), Danny, Jay (Cassandra), Allyson, and Ariel, and her seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, MaryAnn Kvasager and her sisters-in-law, Sue Schneider (Rudy) and Eleanor Burkhart (Alan). She will be remembered by many nieces and nephews. Norma was predeceased by her parents, her infant daughter, Gerilyn, and her brother, Rudy Schneider.

A Vigil/Rosary will be held at Spangler Mortuary, Los Altos Chapel, located at 399 So. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, California on Sunday May 20th from 5-8pm. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Simon Catholic Parish, located at 1860 Grant Road, Los Altos, California on Monday May 21, 11:30 am, followed by the burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of Norma's favorite charities, The National Shrine of St. Jude www.shrineofstjude.org.