Connie Santelices, of Palm Coast, celebrates 100th birthday

Surrounded by family and friends, Santelices celebrated on Aug. 7 at the Italian American Social Club.

By Guest Author
| 1:30 p.m. August 19, 2021

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

Palm Coast Observer
Your Town

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.