Cathleen I. (Hale) Santiago

Cathleen I. ‘Cathy’ (Hale) Santiago, age 68, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, November 30, 2021 at Franciscan Health in Mooresville. She was a resident of Martinsville.

Cathy was born June 3, 1953 in Indianapolis, to her parents, the late Victor and Carolyn (Clark) Hale. She was a 1971 graduate of Mooresville High School. Cathy learned the art of pet grooming in her early 20's after serving an apprenticeship in Indianapolis. She was thankful for a 35-year career which allowed her to raise and care for her three daughters. Cathy was the owner and operator of The Barking Lot in Martinsville for 10 years and retired in 2013.

Cathy met her best friend and the love of her life, Felix D. Santiago while racing her horse at River Downs in Cincinnati Ohio.  Although not interested at first, Cathy and Felix became one in many ways.  Both loved the arena of horse racing and together raised and raced many horses including "Cookie" who won at Hoosier Park Racing.  Another favorite horse, though not as successful, was their horse who came in second in every race they entered. Cathy and Felix were married on October 17, 1993 in the Winner's Circle at River Downs in Cincinnati. He preceded her in death on January 21, 2015 after 21 loving years of marriage.

Cathy was a member of the Indiana Horse Racing Benevolent Protection Association for two years. She enjoyed racing her horses at Church Hill Downs, Indiana Downs, Ellis Park & River Downs. Cathy also enjoyed staying in touch with her 700+ Facebook friends, watching HRTV & the news channel. She will be remembered for her love of family, animals and her great sense of humor.

Cathy is survived by her children, Shannon (Perry) Waldrip-Lambert & Shawn (Dean) Waldrip-Barger, both of Martinsville & Crystal (John) Waldrip McClure of Brooklyn; step-children: Elizabeth Santiago-Patterson of Elyria, Ohio and Felix Charles (Anna) Santiago of Miami, FL; siblings, Victor (Carrie) Hale of Mooresville, Sherri (Jack) Ensminger & James "Jimmy" (Candy) Hale, both of Martinsville; grandchildren, Shandra Chappel, Ashley (Paul) Ammer, Shaylynn (Tom) Twomey, David & Paislee Lambert, Nicholas Spears, Brittany Chastain & Jacob McClure; and thirteen great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Felix and brother, Tony Hale.

A graveside service will be conducted by Pastor Mike Ross on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Waverly. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown. Following the graveside service, military rites will be presented in honor of Cathy’s husband, Felix, for his service in the United States Army by the Martinsville American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guards along with the United State Army.

Condolences may be made to the Santiago family at www.meredith-clark.com.

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