Santiago Silva Iñiguez

Santiago Silva Iñiguez (85 years old), a devoted family man, advocate for education, devout Catholic and pillar of his community, departed this world on Wednesday, September 20th, at 11:20 pm in Las Vegas, NV. He leaves behind a legacy that transcends generations, surviving through his life partner, Guadalupe Rodriguez, and their 11 children: Uriel, Pedro, Martina, Erlinda, Alexia, Ricardo, José, Emilio, Simón, Jesús, Moises. Additionally, his impact continues through 14 cherished grandchildren. Santiago's journey began in San Marcos, Michoacán, Mexico, on May 23rd, 1938. In the mid-1960s, he ventured to the United States, embarking on the arduous path of a migrant farmworker, in pursuit of a brighter future for his family—a mission he carried out at the heels of the bracero program. After years of laboring and traveling back and forth between Mexico and the U.S., he settled in Connell, WA, where he resided from 1973 to 1986. During his time in Connell, Santiago emerged as the voice of the Latino community, advocating for equal access to education for both parents and students. He served as the President of the Migrant Parent Advisory Council (PAC) and as a State PAC member, representing his community and the Latino voice at parent leadership conferences across the state. In 1985, he moved to Mattawa, and identified a pressing need within the Latino farmworker community. Santiago worked in collaboration with local officials and outside agencies to establish the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic. He took immense pride in becoming a U.S. citizen and exercised his right to vote. Simultaneously, he continued his advocacy for parents and students in Mattawa and surrounding school districts until he relocated to Las Vegas in 1998. From 2005 to 2022, Santiago called Wenatchee, WA, his home. In Wenatchee, the Community For the Advancement of Family Education (CAFE) recognized him for his outstanding example to the community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed to our father's and family's successes as we continue to honor his legacy and passion for education. Santiago’s quote, “They can take all your material possessions away but they can never take away your education. That is yours forever” and his indomitable spirit made him a hero to many, his dedication to education a beacon of hope for immigrants from rural heartlands. While Santiago's absence leaves a void, it houses a lasting legacy of selfless devotion to the betterment of the communities he cherished. He was a visionary, a symbol of relentless determination in pursuit of dreams. He took pride that all of his 11 children attained atleast a bachelors degree and eight have post graduate degrees. In tribute to his unwavering commitment to education, the Iñiguez Family Endowment has been established at Eastern Washington University, Central Washington University, Columbia Basin College, and Wenatchee Valley College. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Santiago Silva Iñiguez will be held in Wenatchee, WA. For those who wish to honor his belief in providing access to post-secondary education for students in need, please consider contributing to this noble cause by following the link the link below. https://wvc.networkforgood.com/projects/198410-encanto-for-wvc-donation-page September 28th, Viewing will be from 4-8pm with Rosary at 6pm at Jones and Jones, Location: 302 9th St, Wenatchee, WA 98801 September 29th, Mass will be from 11am, Location: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 625 S Elliot Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Santiago Silva Iñiguez will forever remain in our hearts as a beacon of love, perseverance, and dedication to a brighter future for all.

Tributes

Santiago Silva Iñiguez

May 23, 1938 - September 20, 2023