Maria M. Castillo

Maria Castillo

August 18, 1931 - June 26, 2024

Maria Castillo, of Weslaco Texas, entered eternal rest and received her her angel wings on Wednesday June 26, 2024, she was 92.

Maria was born on August 18, 1931, to Eligio Madrigal and Agapita Alvarado in La Grulla, Texas. She later met, fell in love, and eventually married her one true love, Jose Castillo, with whom she had 13 children. She was a devoted mother and worked all over the US with her family as migrant farmworkers. This instilled in her children how to be hardworking, responsible, and disciplined. Over the course of 56 wonderful years, Maria and Jose built a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories while raising a beautiful family.

She attended Mass every Sunday until her health did not allow her to. Maria was a God-fearing woman who prayed daily for her entire family. Faith was her strong suit, which helped her raise eight boys and five girls. Prayer and faith carried her through difficult times after the loss of her infant son Armando of six months, when she was left widowed at 71 after her husband Jose passed away, and the loss of her son Alfredo, who battled cancer. Her bedroom was decorated with Jesus, the Saints, and the Virgin Mary statues.

Maria had a passion for life and was a loving and caring person. She enjoyed hosting special events and holidays and cooking for her loved ones. Her homemade tamales, fresh flour tortillas, salsa, and delicious carne guisada were always welcomed by all who had the pleasure of tasting them. In fact, her food was loved so much that she began selling to a select few, wearing a great big smile as she saw how much enjoyment others received as they ate her cooking.

Maria enjoyed spending her Sundays with her daughters and granddaughters playing bingo and loved it even more when she won. Every morning, she looked forward to cooking breakfast and sharing a cup of coffee with her sons while catching up on the latest “news.” She enjoyed traveling, going to casinos, and watching her “novelas”. Maria also loved listening to Tejano and conjunto music. She always enjoyed dancing with her husband and grandsons to a good “chotis”.

Maria was a true matriarch of her family, sharing her wisdom and guidance not only with her children but also with her grandchildren. Her life was a testament to the power of love, family, and faith. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will forever carry her memory in their hearts. She will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Maria is preceded in faith by her parents, Eligio and Agapita (Alvarado) Madrigal; her loving husband, Jose F. Castillo; their son, Alfredo Castillo; their son-in-law, Ramon De la Rosa; their daughter-in-law, Paula Castillo, granddaughter, Cindy Rodriguez, great-grandsons, Juan Ramon De la Rosa IV, Steven Angel Perez, and Rodrigo Sebastian Morales, her brother, Domingo Madrigal, and sister Felipa Cedillo. 

She is survived by her children, Juan Castillo (Cipriana), Ninfa Rodriguez (Rafael), Gloria De La Rosa (Ramon+), Maria Francisca Vaiz (Ritchi), Albert Castillo (Renee), Jose Castillo (Paula+), Esmeralda Castillo, George Castillo (Julie), Benigno Castillo (Katrina), Arturo Castillo (Hilda), and San Juanita Castillo, her daughter in law, Rebecca G. Castillo(Alfredo+), grandchildren, Lisa Vaiz, Cristobal Vaiz, Tabitha Vaiz, Patricia Vaiz, Daniela Vaiz, Robert Cantu, Denise Cantu, Armando Castillo, Monica Castillo, Sandra Castillo, Jessica Castillo, Jesus Castillo Jr., Michael Castillo, Sylvia Castillo, Yisel Rodriguez, Cynthia Garcia+, Rafael Rodriguez Jr., Abraham Rodriguez, Maya Rodriguez, Mary Rodriguez, AJ Moniz, Corrina Garza, Lucinda Sandoval , Juan Ramon De la Rosa Jr., Amy De La Rosa, Mary De La Rosa, Steve De La Rosa, Sasha Castillo, Marisa Castillo, Severiana Castillo, Aracelia Castillo, Gina Castillo, Isaiah Castillo, Jose Castillo III, Angie Castillo, Melissa Casarez, Arturo Castillo Jr., Roy Castillo, Ivan Castillo, Linda Castillo, Nancy Castillo, Diana Castillo, Rudy Castillo, Katrina Castillo, Korinna Castillo, Ace Castillo, Rebecca Mendoza, Samantha Castillo, Eli Castillo, Steve Aiello, Jonathan Aiello, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

The services to honor Maria's life will be held at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco on Sunday, June 30, 2024, with visitation from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM and a Holy Rosary at 7:00 PM. A funeral will take place on July 1 at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 10:00 AM before the Graveside Service at Val Verde Memorial Gardens in Donna at 11:00 AM.

In loving memory of Maria M. Castillo - a caring mother, a talented cook, and a faithful soul who touched the lives of many with her boundless love and devotion