Angelica Morales – Viewing, Prayer Service & Burial

Ms. Angelica Leon, daughter of the late Higinio Leon and Ofelia Colon-Leon was born on March 11^th, 1939 in Cayey, Puerto Rico. One of nine children, Angelica was always the most independent and strong willed of all her sisters. At age 26, she fell in love with the late Heriberto Bermudez and had a child, Luis. Sadly, that relationship ended quickly leaving her to raise her new son alone. Angelica moved to Philadelphia in the late 60’s, and later found a new love in the late, and much older, Artemio (Chago) Santiago. Angelica and Chago had a son, Artemio Jr., and shortly after opened their first of several corner grocery stores in the city. Angelica and Chago enjoyed many years working and raising their boys together until his death in 1980. Over the years that followed Angelica, now saddled with the overwhelming responsibility of maintaining her businesses, and raising two sons, soon became the woman most would describe her as today. Angelica, also known as Ms. Lucy because of her Lucille Ball-esk red hair, took control of the businesses, eventually selling all but the one on 8th & Wingohocking streets. There, in that store, she lived, raised her kids, and worked, 15 hours a day,7 days a week, to support her family. As the neighborhood got rougher, she became tougher; often found with broomstick in-hand, chasing away the bad element that wanted to hang out in front of her store. A gruff, and thorny personality Ms. Lucy was quick to curse you out if you tried her and always willing to impart her wisdom to those she cared about.  She was no one’s fool but she had the heart to help when someone in the neighborhood needed just a few things on credit to get through the week. Friends would gather and many laughs were had in that corner store, for that store and Ms. Lucy became the heart of the neighborhood. Nine years later, with one son (Luis) away in the Navy and her youngest just about to finish high school, Angelica was ready to start a new. She sold that store, moved out of the neighborhood, and opened another on 3rd street in the Olney section of the city. Here she would continue to work despite her ever-worsening diabetes. Through amputations, and bypass surgeries, through the onset of Parkinson’s disease, and heart failure, she pushed on for twenty five years; till the day that her illness made it impossible to continue. Angelica Leon passed away on June 21st ,2019 at the age of 80. Beloved mother of Artemio Santiago Jr. (Kelly) and the late Luis A. Bermudez (Rose). Cherished grandmother to DeAndre Bermudez, Alexander A. Santiago, Sophia N. Santiago and Dominick M. Santiago. Loving sister to Carmen Camacho, Esther Malave, Maria Torres, Margarita Leon, Juanita Malave, Jose Angel Leon, Angel Luis Leon and Jesus Leon and ever missed by countless nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Family and friends are invited to gather, remember and celebrate Angelica’s life on Friday, June 28th at McCafferty Funeral & Cremation Inc. 6711 Frankford Ave. Phila. PA 19135. (between Unruh & Knorr Sts.) You may visit and comfort Angelica’s family during the viewing from 9:30AM-11:00AM. in the funeral home. There will be a Prayer Service at 11:00AM. Burial to follow in Greenmount Cemetery.