Gloria DelaCruz Castillo

Gloria Dela Cruz Castillo was born on November 30, 1948, in Santa Maria, Philippines. She passed away on May 18, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and unwavering affection for her family and friends.

Gloria attended West Central Elementary in Santa Maria and graduated from Ilocos Sur Agricultural College (ISAC) in the class of 1966.

Her early years were marked by a significant family milestone when her parents bought a lot/land in Parañaque, Manila, and built their house in the early 1970s.

She decided not to go to Hawaii with Papang and Ben in 1967 because she wanted to finish her schooling. She pursued higher education at the University of Manila, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1970.

In 1971, Gloria moved to Hawaii from the Philippines, where she took her first job as a cashier at KC Market and later working at Diner’s Drive in with her family members. Soon she married and had two handsome sons, Rynne and Rod.

Her journey continued as she transitioned to California in 1977 when she followed her brother Ben and his family who moved here. She purchased a home in Sunnyvale on Socorro Avenue in 1982, but sold it and bought another home on the same street a decade later, but eventually sold it as well.

Gloria had a distinguished 30-year career at Hewlett Packard, where she retired with great pride. Her dedication extended beyond her own home, as she played a significant role in helping her sons, Rynne and Rod, buying their homes in Stockton.

In addition to her corporate career, Gloria was passionate about education. She took classes at Foothill College and taught preschool for some time. In 2015, she proudly purchased a house in Las Vegas. At this time she continued working at Cepheid in the Bay Area, but when she could, would travel back to Vegas to visit her home. In 2018, her grand daughter Kianah moved to Vegas and lived with her while attending college at UNLV. Gloria moved permanently to Vegas in early 2021 to care for her father, “Papang”. She had a hard time caring for him on her own so her second oldest grandson, Niko, went to help, until Papang’s passing in January 2022.

Gloria's family was the center of her world. She was the eldest of five siblings, with brothers Ben, Manoling, and Gerry, and sister Mila. She was a devoted mother to her sons Rynne and Rod, and their wives Carolyn and Chyrelle. Her grandchildren Dillon, Niko, Kianah, Kyler, KC, and Derion brought immense joy to her life.

Gloria was a long-time and active member of the SMISA organization, where she enjoyed traveling to various places for their celebrations and get-togethers. These experiences brought her great joy and enriched her life with cherished memories and friendships.

Her long term partner in crime, Tony was always there for her. They had a beautiful enduring partnership with frequent travels and many years of sharing countless laughs.

Known for her vibrant spirit, Gloria was always smiling and often found humor in her own jokes or linguistic mishaps. She loved to host parties in her home, especially cherishing the times when her sons and their families, along with nieces and nephews, would visit her in Las Vegas. Her home was often filled with laughter and the aroma of her specialty dishes like dinengdeng, miki, pinakbet, and dinardaraan, which her family frequently requested. She looked forward to her sons coming and giving them a “to-do” list for maintenance around her house.

Her pastime included visiting casinos with her father and brother Gerry, enjoying buffets, and sharing simple joys with family and friends.

Gloria's major achievement was her relentless work ethic. She worked tirelessly at Cepheid, for about 15 years, even beyond retirement, often putting in extra hours and acting as a mother figure to her colleagues at Cepheid. She would bring balun to work and would also bring enough food for her "kids” at work, as she would say. She retired in April 2021, a testament to her incredible dedication and perseverance.

Gloria was looking forward to spending time with her mamang Trining and perhaps thought about taking her in to live with her in Vegas, too.

Gloria Dela Cruz Castillo will be remembered for her smile, her laughter, and her boundless love for her family. Her legacy is one of hard work, unwavering support, and a life lived with joy and dedication. She touched the hearts of many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.