Gorica S. Santos

Gorica Stojanova Santos, 45, of Goffstown NH, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. She was born on September 17, 1977, in Skopje, Macedonia, the oldest child of Trajko Stojanov and Ljubica Stojanova and 7 years later became the older sister to Aco Stojanov.

As a young girl, Gorica had fond memories and developed a love for the ocean while vacationing on the Adriatic Sea with her family.  Locally, her favorite beach was Jenness Beach in Rye, NH, where she always relished the opportunity for a late afternoon visit. Gorica also loved dancing, poetry, and reading. After graduating from college in Macedonia, Gorica spent a summer working in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, which led her to a permanent move to the United States in 2000. She received her MBA from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), and gained her citizenship to the USA, both very proud moments for Gorica. In 2008, she met her future husband, Justin, and later they enjoyed a beautiful wedding ceremony in Hawaii. In December 2011, Gorica and Justin’s beautiful baby girl, Elena, was born. Recently, Gorica began working at her alma mater, SNHU, as an academic advisor. She enjoyed her work, quickly receiving a promotion to Team Lead for other Academic Advisors.

Gorica was a committed and loving mother to Elena, who was the center of her life, energy, and heart.  She was a woman full of curiosity, enthusiasm, and determination. She had an amazing smile and gave equally amazing hugs. Her passion for dance and fitness led her to develop a flourishing Zumba community, where her leadership inspired and lifted up so many of her fellow dancers. Gorica will be deeply missed by so many friends and family. Many of us will think of Gorica whenever we are shaking it on the dance floor or looking and listening to the waves of the ocean.

Gorica is survived by her husband, Justin Santos and their daughter, Elena, her mother, and father, Ljubica Sojanova and Trajko Stojanov and her brother, Aco Stojanov and sister-in-law, Anastasija Dikan, and their son, her nephew, Trajan Stojanov of Skopje, Macedonia, a brother-in-law and his wife, Darrin, and Meghan Santos, and their two sons of New Boston, NH, a mother-in-law and father-in-law, Irene and Francis (Frank) Santos, of Marstons Mills, MA, and many extended family members throughout Europe. 

In lieu of flowers please send a donation to Easterseals New Hampshire, 555 Auburn Street, Manchester, NH, 03103.  Elena has special needs and after high school there is limited support for young adults and adults with special needs.  Easterseals of NH provides services for people with special needs.  They are typically underfunded and understaffed, so any donation is very helpful.

Services: Visitation and Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 16^th, 2023. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM at the Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover St., Manchester, New Hampshire.  There will be a Service at Phaneuf from 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM.  The Burial will take place at 3PM at Westlawn Cemetery (North/newer side of Rte 114), 102 N Mast St, Goffstown, New Hampshire. 

Please click on this livestream link https://phaneuf.net/streaming to register to view Goricia's Visitation and Services live online.

Please note that this link is the general livestream link for Phaneuf and this link is not exclusive for Gorica's services.  You may see other names and services before Gorica's.  The livestream link for Gorica will be active for her Visitation and the Service on Friday the 16th from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

This link will not show her burial.  We are currently working on this and will update this information by Thursday at the latest.