Matthew House in Auburn adds Santillo to board of directors

AUBURN, N.Y. — Matthew House — an Auburn nonprofit that operates a two-bed comfort-care home for terminally ill people in their final days of life — announced it recently added Judy Santillo to its board of directors. 

She was inducted in early March for a two-year term, according to a March 10 news release from Matthew House.

Santillo has been affiliated with Auburn Community Hospital since 1979 and had held the position of director of community relations and volunteer services for 15 years, retiring in 2015. Her responsibilities included fundraising, special events, community outreach programs, along with recruiting, training, and managing more than 125 hospital volunteers. Santillo is a lifelong resident of Auburn and is married to Dr. Rick Santillo. They have two sons and four grandchildren. 

“Judy was already an active member of our Matthew House family serving on the Summer Cocktail Party Committee as well as the 20th Anniversary Committee,” Angela Ryan, executive director of Matthew House, said in the release. “We are excited to channel Judy’s talent, expertise and energy into furthering our mission. I am personally delighted to welcome such a hard-working, charismatic and kindhearted individual to our organization and look forward to working with her on our leadership team.”

Matthew House also thanked outgoing board member Kelly Buck for her many years of service. 

Since its opening in 2002, Matthew House has welcomed more than 400 residents, per its website. Some stayed at the house for weeks or months, while some stayed just a few days.