- December 4, 2025
Connie Santelices and her family on her 100th Birthday. Courtesy photo
Connie Santelices' 100th Birthday Celebration at Italian American Social Club on August 7, 2021. Courtesy photo
Connie Santelices with her sisters Sally Siroy and Belen Red. Courtesy photo
Connie Santelices. Courtesy photo
Connie Santelices. Courtesy photo
Connie Santelices. Courtesy photo
by: Sally Siroy
Consuelo "Connie" Santelices of Palm Coast celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug. 7, at Italian American Social Club. She was joined by her sister, Sally Siroy; brother-in-law Dr. Edwin Siroy, of Palm Coast; nephew Dr. Alan Siroy, of Gainesville; and friends and family from California, New York and Hawaii.
Santelices was born in the Philippines on Aug. 9, 1921, and was third from the oldest among 14 children of Judge Pelagio and Fortunata Santelices. She was a teacher in first grade for 20 years before she came to Shelbyville, Illinois, and worked as a receptionist at Dr. Edwin Siroy's office.
She has been happily retired in Palm Coast for 12 years now and keeps herself busy with daily crossword puzzle, stationary bike exercise for 20 minutes and watching "The Price Is Right." Santelices is an active member of the Philippine American Association of Palm Coast and has donated to different charities in Palm Coast.
When asked what the secret to her longevity is, her answer was, "Think positive, stay happy, always pray, and stay single." She has never been married.
