Barbara Jean Santillano

     Barbara Jean Santillano, 85, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2024, in Meridian, MS, with her eldest son by her side.  Known as “BJ”, “Beej”, or "Grammy Beej" to her friends and family, she was born on November 18, 1938, the eldest daughter of Charles and Lydia Kirchhoefer of St. Louis, MO.

     After graduating from high school in 1956, she became the first in her family to attend college, studying nursing in Indianapolis, IN.  She received her capping in 1957.  As a Registered Nurse, she worked at Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis, where she met Dr. Antonio Borromeo Santillano M.D.  They were married on February 25, 1959, and remained married for more than 63 years.  Together they had four children: Lynn Tutko, Lee Santillano, Keith Santillano, and Mark Santillano.

     Beej was born and raised in St. Louis and spent most of her life there.  She also lived in the Bronx, NY, as well as on the island of Leyte in the Philippines before returning to Missouri.  Beej and Tony moved to Berryville, VA, in 2004 after having lived in St. Louis for 40 years to be closer to Lynn and her children, then relocated to Meridian, MS, in 2017 to be near Lee.

     As a wife and mother of four, she worked hard as a homemaker.  Though budgets were tight in the early years, the family prospered over time.  Beej enjoyed travel, reading, painting, attending concerts and Broadway musicals, and visiting the St. Louis Zoo.  She had a passion for elephants, jewelry, St. Louis Blues hockey, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and Mickey Mouse, with whom she shared a birthday.  Her adventures took her around the globe, visiting Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Palau, Jamaica, the Panama Canal, and various locations across the U.S., from Alaska to Key West and from San Diego to Maine.

     Beej was known for writing long, handwritten letters updating her children and grandchildren who were scattered across the globe.  She stayed involved with all of her children and grandchildren, and although geographically distant, she never let them feel far away.

     Beej will be remembered as a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who always celebrated and supported her children’s (and their children’s) many interests.  She could often be seen dancing the jitterbug with Tony in their home or at family weddings.

     She is survived by her daughter’s husband, Peter, and their children, Sam, Ben, and Laura Tutko; her son Lee Santillano and his children, Amanda Butler, Anna Santillano, and Tyler Singleton; her son Keith Santillano and his child, Kian; her son Mark Santillano, his wife, Solveig, and their child, Ella Ray.  She is also survived by four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

     She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lydia Kirchhoefer; her sister, Karen Bauer; her daughter Lynn Tutko; and her husband, Antonio Santillano.

     The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-North are honored to serve Barbara and her family during this time.

     Online condolences may be left for the family on our website.