Adelaida Castillo Dancel

Adelaida Castillo Dancel graced the world with her presence on October 31, 1944, born to Severino Gacad Castillo and Soledad Gudoy Martinez Castillo. Her journey through life was marked by a profound dedication to education and caregiving.

In 1967, she achieved a milestone by obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Baguio in the Philippines. With unwavering commitment, she embarked on her teaching career at Lopez Elementary School in November 1968, imparting knowledge and nurturing young minds until 1973. Her versatile teaching skills saw her guiding students across nursery, 1st, 4th, and 6th grades.

Transitioning into a new realm of exploration, she delved into scientific research, serving as a Science Research Assistant at the Forest Research Institute from June 1975 to July 1986. However, her journey took a significant turn on August 6, 1986, as she ventured into a new chapter in the United States, joining our beloved Papa. Though her initial pursuit of teaching opportunities at Poway Unified School District didn't materialize, her compassionate nature led her to the healthcare industry, where she found her calling as a Certified Nursing Assistant, caring for others with boundless empathy.

For over a decade, she dedicated herself to nursing until a back injury prompted her retirement. Yet, retirement only marked a new chapter of service, as she devoted herself to caring for her husband during his battle with Parkinson's Disease. Together, they cherished their retirement years, traveling when possible, cherishing family moments, and reveling in the joys of grandparenthood.

A devout Catholic, she found solace and community in her faith as a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Rancho Penasquitos. Her leisure hours were filled with the joy of gardening, nurturing orchids, roses, and a variety of vegetables with tender care.

Among her many talents, she was renowned for her culinary skills, crafting lumpia and pancit with a touch of love that was unmatched. Her Christmas celebrations were legendary, filled with laughter and the joy of family. Her thoughtful "Mama Gifts" brought smiles to her grandchildren's faces, symbolizing her enduring love and generosity.

Adelaida's love for elegance extended to her passion for fashion, reflected in her collection of purses, shoes, and clothes, always favoring the serene hues of white or pink.

Her legacy lives on through her siblings, Alberto Castillo, Alicia Querimit, Junior Castillo, and Edwin Castillo, as well as her four devoted children, Amy Cando, Lyna Buhain, Liberty Guanzon, and Grace Joya, along her 4 sons-in-law, 12 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren with 1 great-grandchild on the way—a testament to the love and life she bestowed upon her family for generations to com

Memories of our mom

1) Mama was a woman of few words, yet her actions spoke volumes of her immense love and care. She poured out unconditional love for all 4 of her daughters, 12 grandchildren, and soon-to-be six great-grandchildren, never uttering a complaint. Her kitchen was a place of magic and always kept clean. She made delectable dishes like lumpiang shanghai, bibingka malagkit, tupig, pancit, imbotido, and her beloved Ilocano favorite dish dinengdeng. I will forever cherish the blessing of her teaching me these recipes before she joined our Lord.

I am profoundly blessed, thankful, and grateful for the love and care Mama gave upon her grandchildren. Among one of the fondest memories are the simple yet heartwarming moments, like Mama cutting mangoes into small, square pieces, or teaching my daughter Abigail the art of doing laundry and household chores. Their conversations during our trips out of town were treasures, showcasing Mama's wisdom and warmth.

Her green thumb and love for gardening were contagious, inspiring my own passion for nurturing plants. Mama's generosity extended beyond our family, helping out to her siblings in the Philippines without hesitation, even if it meant sacrificing her own needs. Her dedication and hard work were evident in the appreciation awards she received at work, a testament to her unwavering commitment.

Mama, you will forever hold a special place in my heart and thoughts, now you are my guardian angel alongside Papa and our Lord Jesus Christ. Your presence will be deeply missed, but your love will continue to guide and inspire us.

Rest in peace, Mama. I love you always. Amy

2) Today, we celebrate and cherish the life of my dear Mom, Adelaida, affectionately known as Aida or Adel Dancel. The depth of sorrow over her passing is immeasurable, yet we find solace in reflecting on the beautiful life she shared with us and the profound impact she had on each of our lives. My mom had a heart of pure kindness and strength, radiating love and offering unwavering support to all who knew her. Her love knew no bounds, freely given without expectation of anything in return.

The recent months have been challenging as we witnessed my mother's battle with forgetfulness, yet she remained resilient, continuing her daily routines, and finding joy in spending time with her beloved dog, Colonel, and youngest grandson, Gabe. It was only later that we discovered the severity of her illness. Now, she is reunited with my Dad, free from pain and suffering.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have gathered here today to celebrate the remarkable life of my Mom. She was the cornerstone of our family, a source of endless love and wisdom for me, my father, my sisters, her sons-in-law, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. Her absence will be deeply felt, but her memory will live on in our hearts forever.

I miss you so much Mama – Love Lyna

3) Saying goodbye was undoubtedly one of the most challenging decisions my sisters and I had to make. In the midst of it all, we find solace in the boundless grace and love of God. Though your time with us was cut tragically short, your legacy is etched deeply in our hearts. Every moment shared with your grandchildren and great-grandchildren was imbued with profound meaning. We see God's mercy manifested in the extraordinary life you led, as the cherished mother of four remarkable daughters who have become the women we are today. You were also the beloved wife of an exceptional man, now reunited with you being embraced by of our Heavenly Father.

Mama, your presence encompassed everything—love, the foods you made that we will cherish and attempt to make (pork lumpia, pinakbet, and dinengdeng), and most of all your unwavering support. Words fail to capture the depth of gratitude for all that you bestowed upon us. As I looked up in the sky, a smile, knowing that you and Papa are rejoicing in the splendor of paradise, hand in hand with our Creator. Thank you, Mama, for everything.

I love you so much. Always, Liberty

4) Mom, Every moment without you feels like an eternity. My heart aches with the constant thought of you, wishing I could see you just one more time. Being here, knowing I won't see you every day anymore, is a pain I struggle to bear. But amidst the sorrow, I hold onto the profound gratitude for the years we shared together. You cared for me, Mark, Joshua, Addison, and Gabe with a love that knew no bounds. And Colonel, your cherished fur-grandson, held a special place in your heart. Your dedication to him, giving him weekly showers and ensuring he always smelled good, was a testament to your boundless affection.

Our trips to Costco were legendary, weren't they? Your affinity for stocking up on supplies, more than we could ever need, filled our home with abundance. And your closet, overflowing with clothes, spoke of your love for shopping. Even for a simple outing, you made sure to look your best, with perfectly styled hair, makeup, and your favorite jewelry adorning you.

Your handwriting, unique and elegant, was a reflection of your graceful soul. I'll never forget how you insisted on In-N-Out cheeseburgers with unsalted fries and a Coke whenever I cooked American food, simply because pasta, steaks, or baked chicken didn't quite suit your palate. And when it was Mexican cuisine, one fish taco with no salsa was your delight.

You had your ways, Mom, like sticking to your trusty 30-year-old Oster brand chopper despite having a new one when it was time to make lumpia. These little quirks, these memories, are etched in my heart forever. We shared so much laughter, so many joys.

I miss you beyond words, Mom. You are and always will be deeply loved.

Forever in my heart,

Grace