BARBARA ANN SANTO (née VanDaley) was born on July 18, 1956 in New York, New York and considered Brooklyn her hometown.  On July 3rd, 1976, she married her high school sweetheart and surviving spouse, John Santo, Jr.  The two just celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary, setting a wonderful example for her three surviving children John Santo III (Kari); Jennifer Marie Lindsay (Bruce III); James Vincent Santo (Jennifer).  Her family was her legacy and her seven grandchildren were the light of her life:  James V. Santo, Jr. (9); Sierra M. Santo (8); Sloan G. Santo (5); Matthew A. Santo (4); Charlotte L. Lindsay (3); Shay R. Santo (2); Bruce C. Lindsay IV (1.5).  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond E. VanDaley and Mary E G VanDaley and her two brothers, Raymond and John.  She is survived by loving parents-in-law John and Grace Santo.   She is also survived by her siblings-in-law Charles & Joanne Santo and James & Lisa Santo and has shared many special memories with them along with many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and many cousins.

Barbara was a selfless and devoted wife and mother.  She always put her family's needs first.  She fully supported her husband's 35-year federal career moving to Orlando, Florida in 1994 and most recently to Northern Virginia in 2005.  The way that she ran an efficient home in which lunches were always made, laundry was always folded, everything was always in its place and the space was always spotless but welcoming at the same time left a remarkable impact on her family.

Barbara loved to dance and was the life of the party.  At any family gathering or night out, she could be found on the dance floor from the beginning until the after-party.  Her warmth, radiant smile and natural love of people enabled her to make friends wherever she went, including the grocery store and shopping malls! She loved the New York Jets & Mets sports teams and enjoyed cheering them on with her family but she always adopted a local team to support wherever she lived.  Barbara loved country music and enjoying a beer or Jack & Coke with family and friends.  One of Barbara's favorite joys was entertaining and hosting family events and establishing traditions such as Sunday pasta dinner.  She was the quintessential hostess and loved to cook—authentic Italian dishes were her specialty.  She enjoyed shopping, getting pedicures and loved makeup and fragrances.

In the 1980s, Barbara was a Jazzercise (dance-fitness) enthusiast and became a certified instructor and franchise owner from 1995-2005.  She led classes in Orlando, Florida and touched, motivated and inspired many to achieve their goals.  She shared this passion with her only daughter, who was her front-row fan, and mentored and trained her to also be an instructor from 1999-2005.  Her love of dance-fitness spread and in 2009, she was certified as a Zumba Instructor and would also participate in classes at the local gym and enjoyed annual Zumba conventions.

On July 10th, after a courageous and valiant 9-year battle with ovarian cancer, Barbara passed away  in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Barbara was adored by all who knew her.  Her warmth, loving smile, sensitive heart and fiercely loyal personality will be missed forever.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, July 15, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd, NE, Leesburg, VA  20176.  A service will be held at Colonial Funeral Home on Monday, July 16, 2017 at 11:00 am.