Obituary of Amantina Polanco

Amantina Polanco, fondly known by all as "Chama" passed away peacefully in her home on May 5, 2021 at the age of 68.

Amantina was born to Manuela Santos and Vicente Polanco on November 20, 1952 in Villa Rivas, Dominican Republic. 

She came to America in 1984 and settled in the Washington Heights community of New York City. 

She worked as a seamstress in her early years, served as the Treasurer of her housing tenants board and was a devoted homemaker. 

Ms. Polanco was cherished by many and well known in the Washington Heights community. She loved to cook, entertain friends and family in her home and loved taking photos to remember each moment. She went above and beyond to help anyone she encountered. Her compassion knew no boundaries. She lived a full life, brimming with love, and was endlessly devoted to her friends and family. 

She instilled the value of education in her children all of whom had careers in service to their communities: Claribel Santana, Accountant, Substance Abuse Counselor and Community Advocate in New York City, Patricia Rojas, Registered Nurse and Doctoral (PhD) candidate in Nursing, and Katherine Rojas, Middle School and High School STEM Program Coordinator. Ms. Polanco’s legacy of living with both purpose and passion will continue in the work of her children.

Ms. Polanco was preceded in death by her brothers, Jose Alberto Polanco (Cheche), Jose Manuel Polanco (Presto), Jose Manuel Polanco (Papolo), and her mother, Manuela  Santos de Polanco and father, Vicente Polanco.

Ms. Polanco is survived her children Claribel Santana, Patricia Rojas and Katherine Rojas and her grandchildren, Claryssa Santana, Jayson Mendez and Veronica Nieva. 

She is also survived by her sisters, Zeneida Polanco, Socorro Polanco (Geraldina), Antonia Polanco (Tonga), Eneroliza Polanco (Nero) and her brothers Francisco Polanco (Tanque), Rafael Polanco (Tio Pilo), Silvestre Polanco, Juan María Polanco (Juan), Vicente Polanco (Viso), Carlos Polanco (Calito), Sixto Miguel Polanco (Miguel), Silvestre Antonio Polanco (Rey); nieces; and nephews.

Her legacy lives on in all the lives she’s touched throughout her years. Ms. Polanco was truly one of a kind, and the world is a better place because of her.