Rosita Ramos Castillo's Obituary
Mom was born December 16, 1944 in San Jose, Philippines. She came to Honolulu, Hawaii on December 9, 1972. She was married to 1st husband Paterno Punzalan Alforque but got a court decree granting absolute divorce on March 25, 1974. Mom married 2nd husband Escolastico Florentino Castillo on April 27, 1974.
Children: Gwendolyn Castillo Borrero [deceased]; Julieta “Jules” Castillo/Patrick Medeiros; Ruben Alforque/Sosie Alforque; Rosemarie Ramos Alforque; Sandro Castillo/Rowena Rabanes; Delfin Castillo [deceased].
Grandchildren: Leo Borrero; Rudy Borrero/Darlene Borrero; Rochelle Borrero; Ruby Borrero [deceased]; Janyne Sakamoto/Andrew Sakamoto; Jaylen Medeiros; Jerycho Medeiros; Bryce Nowak/Shane Nowak; Donica Nowak; Jacob Castillo Valle; and Justin Castillo Valle.
Great Grandchildren: Jacob Sakamoto; Alexia Butler; Kanani Nowak; and Aaralyn Dunlap.
From 1974 on, our parents lived their life in Waihee Valley, where they leased lands for farming and agricultural purposes: lilikoi orchard, taro, bananas, papayas, and vegetables. Not an easy life but they made do with money made living off the land.
Mom had help from care members of Kalama O’Maui at the Cameron Center, and our family doctor, Dr Aquilizan. When she was deemed able to “try out” to work by her case worker, Mom worked for a couple hours, for short durations, at Sam Sato Restaurant (at the original Puunene restaurant and also when they were located at Happy Valley). And for a very short time she worked at Archie’s Restaurant. She did dishwasher work.
Church was every Saturday at The Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Our parents lived with our brother Sandro when they eventually had to move out of Waihee Valley, when developers got a hold of the lands. Waihee Valley will never be the same.
Mom had a stroke on May 6, 2020 and ended up in Maui South, Maui Memorial Hospital. May 22, 2020, she was sent for Rehab at Hale Makua, Kahului. That’s when we decided that the best placement for Mom was to stay at Hale Makua. There she had more socialization and activities than she’d had in her prior years. She would go to exercises in the morning and attend activities and programs, liked manicures and going on shopping trips. The North neighborhood family gave Mom great care and love. She knew most of their names, even though she eventually would forget her children’s names due to dementia. Thank you Hale Makua for providing a home for Mom.
Mom was sent to the ER on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. She was transferred to the Hospice Maui Hale at 12:30pm and passed away at 2:30pm.
Mom’s service will be held at Nakamura Mortuary on Friday, August 2, 2024 from 1:00pm to 2:45pm. Burial to follow at 3:00pm at Maui Memorial Park.
The Castillo Family would like to say Thank You to everyone for their care and love.
Blessings always.
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