2023 -- H 6480
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LC003144
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE P ASSING OF THE HONORABLE M. THERESA
SANTOS
Introduced By: Representatives Finkelman, Cortvriend, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Fenton-
Fung, Abney, Chippendale, Voas, Tanzi, and Fellela
Date Introduced: June 06, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of the 1
Honorable M. Theresa Santos. Known to most as Theresa Santos, she was born in Middletown, 2
the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Pimental, and was the beloved wife of the late William 3
Santos; and 4
WHEREAS, Mrs. Santos began her distinguished public service career more than 57 5
years ago when she accepted a position at Middletown Town Hall. She soon established a 6
reputation for attention to detail, hard work and often coming up with innovative solutions to 7
solve vexing problems. Thanks to her strong leadership abilities and abiding integrity, she rose to 8
the position of Middletown Finance Director, a position she held until her retirement in 1990; and 9
WHEREAS, Mrs. Santos returned to public service in 2000, when she was elected to the 10
Middletown Town Council, a position she held until her passing. As a Councilwoman, she was 11
known for her high energy and belief in fiscal restraint and responsibility. During her tenure on 12
the Council, she served on numerous committees including the 275th Town Anniversary 13
Committee, Affordable Housing Committee, the Beach Commission, Budget Advisory Sub-14
Committee, the Citizens Memorial Hall of Fame and the Veterans Memorial Committee; and 15
WHEREAS, Councilwoman Santos will long be remembered for her tireless advocacy on 16
behalf of making Middletown the best place in Rhode Island to live. She strove daily to make life 17
better for the residents of her Town. She was vigorous in her support of senior citizens and 18
making sure their needs were met, and for never forgetting about those struggling and living on 19
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the margins of life. Thanks to her urging, new sidewalks were built along upper Aquidneck 1
Avenue so schoolchildren wouldn’t have to walk in the busy road; and 2
WHEREAS, Mrs. Santos was also known for her sharp wit and great sense of humor. She 3
was also a fanatical basketball fan who often stayed up late at night to watch her beloved Boston 4
Celtics, and she loved dogs, especially the Boxer breed. Most of all, Mrs. Santos was devoted to 5
her loved ones and always put her family first in her life; and 6
WHEREAS, Perhaps Middletown Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown described Mrs. 7
Santos best when he said, “She always wanted to make Middletown the best place it could be and 8
held us all to a high standard so that it would be possible. She definitely made Middletown a 9
better place to live, work and play and I know we’re all missing her already”; and 10
WHEREAS, Mrs. Santos is survived by her sons, Michael Santos and daughter-in-law, 11
Heidi Nordmann, and William Santos. She was predeceased by her siblings Manuel Pimental, 12
Benjamin Pimental, and Antone Pimental; now, therefore be it 13
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 14
expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable M. Theresa Santos; and be it 15
further 16
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 17
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Michael Santos and Family, and William 18
Santos. 19
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