Maria was born on December 7, 1968, in Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines, as the second of four children to Teresita Chicano. Maria grew up in Imperial Beach, California, where she met her husband, Armando Castro. Over 31 years of marriage, Maria and Armando raised two children, Jonathan and Jeneve, and spent most of their lives together between San Diego, California, and South Jordan, Utah.
Maria was the rock of the lives of her family and numerous loved ones. Maria was relentless in the pursuit of fair treatment, justice, and security for anyone that she counted as family or friend and would always stand up for anyone that needed her (whether they knew they needed her or not).
Maria had a gift for taking on the stress and worries of others onto herself and would work endlessly to relieve that pain, with her only stake being that she knew and loved you. Even while Maria was ailing physically, she took on the role of full-time caretaker for her brother, Crispin, after a stroke had left him disabled. Maria would not consider giving Crispin up to the care of others, as she knew that it was her duty to care for her family no matter the cost in time, money, or strength.
Maria was unceasing in her devotion to her family, even while caring for her brother. She could be counted on for anything that needed to be done day-to-day, month-by-month, year-by-year, and her absence in the lives of those who loved her is immense.
Maria is survived by her husband Armando, her children Jonathan and Jeneve, her mother Tessie, grandchildren Nicole and Jasiah, and brothers Michael, Timothy, Alvin and, Ted.
A visitation for Maria will be held Friday, December 17, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary, 3655 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103. A funeral service will occur Saturday, December 18, 2021, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificbeachchapel.com for the Castro family.
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