Juanita Castillo

Weslaco: Juanita V. Castillo, 85, was reunited with her family in Heaven on Friday, June 10, 2022, at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco. Juanita was born on March 11, 1937, to Jesus and Adelina (Rendon) Villegas in Alamo, Texas, where she grew up with seven siblings.

Janie overcame many obstacles throughout life. These experiences gave her a unique view of life and a unique personality. She was a strong, strong woman. She passed down this knowledge of life to her sons, daughters, and the next generations. She loved all of them but truly loved her husband, Trinidad Castillo.

Janie was a homemaker and ensured that her children and grandchildren could always count on a home-cooked meal. She was well-known for her cooking, especially her flour tortillas. Janie also worked for Gary and Lou Ann Matlock (of Matlock Realty) for many years, so long that they became lifelong friends.

Janie was a proud mom and an amazing grandma. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending many of their award ceremonies, activities, and sporting events, bringing along her strong spirit and tacos. Janie rarely missed a Friday night football game. She was the epitome of "Panther Pride" and over time filled her closet with more purple than any other.

Janie loved dancing cumbias, playing bingo, chalupa, dominoes, poker, and visiting with friends and family. She could carry on a conversation with anyone and lived for being social.

Janie was feisty and full of energy. She was strong-willed, and when she wanted something, she got it. Her commanding presence didn't go unnoticed; many greatly admired her fortitude. It is no surprise that she beat breast cancer, survived open-heart surgeries, and was able to cope with more loss than most people ever have to experience. She will forever be remembered by those she touched with her fiery spirit, wisdom, and enduring love.

Juanita is preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Adelina Villegas, her loving husband, Trinidad Castillo, daughters, Sylvia Cuellar and Belinda Pena, granddaughter, Nicole Cuellar, siblings, Piedad "Patsy" Villegas, Louise "Locha" Thiel, Eva Villegas Dezern, Adan “Adam” Villegas, Jose “Pepe” Villegas, and Carlos “Charlie” Villegas.

She is survived by her brother Roberto “Robert” Villegas (Virginia), sons, Martin Peralez (Isabel), Mayo Peralez, Saul Saldivar, son-in-law, Filogonio "Filo" Cuellar (widower of Sylvia); grandchildren, Cesar Cuellar (Belinda), Mario (Sandy), and J.B. Lazo, Vanessa Renee Potter, Michael, James, and Victoria Peralez, Krystal Nicole and Susana Peralez, Misty Saldivar; great-grandchildren, Christina and Lauren Lazo, Robert Pena, Jeremiah, and Matthew Lazo, Benjamin and Lily Cuellar.