Mary Ramona Castillo

Maria Ramona Castillo, 73, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. Our sister was the first born to our parents, Jose Atanasio and Herminia Castillo. She was born August 31, 1950 and is preceded in death by our father, Jose Atanasio Castillo. She is survived by our mother, Herminia Castillo and brothers and sisters-in-law, Lorenzo and Gloria Castillo, Raymond and Delores Castillo, Joe Castillo, Frank and Elisa Castillo, and her sister and brother-in-law, Betty & Richard Pineda; her nephews and nieces, Rudy (Jennifer), Raymond Jr. (Heather), Michael (Stephanie), Emily, Richie, Alicia, Alex (Madeline), Angel, Grace, Aidan, Justice, Adalina, Colton, Cristian, and Florence.

She grew up in the West Dallas neighborhood known as Ledbetter, attended N.R. Crozier Technical High School graduating in 1970, and attended El Centro College where she received her Associates Degree in 1972. She worked for thirty-one years with the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, as a word processor until she retired on August 31, 2015.

She was best known to her family and friends as Carmen, Mona or Mary. Her godparents named her Maria del Carmen when baptized, but she preferred to be called Mona. Lorenzo lovingly called her “Mona May”.

Our beautiful sister was the pillar of our family. She took great care of our parents and made sure each one of us stayed close and cared for each other, and our family bond and love stayed strong because of her. She always placed the needs of others before her own. She loved and cared for all of her nieces and nephews like they were her own children. Her kindness never wavered for them and she made sure they got what they asked for each birthday and Christmas. She was the best Tia (aunt) and “second mom” she could be for them.

She was truly a friend you could count on to be there for you at any time of need. She was a genuine soul and her love for her family and dear friends had no boundaries. We will miss her deeply and she will live in our hearts forever. She is no longer in pain and enjoying her new life with God in the kingdom of heaven.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org