Maria Castagnola

The passing of Maria Castagnola, wife and best friend, mother, and nanna is announced with grief and great sadness. Maria passed away at home with her husband and children by her bedside after a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer.

Maria was born in San Diego on March 27, 1954, the eldest child of Angelina and Giuseppe Giacalone. She was a lifetime resident of San Diego, attending Grant Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, Point Loma and San Diego High Schools. Shortly after high school, Maria obtained a real estate license and had a successful career at Park West Real Estate, where she was known for her honesty and dedication to her clients.

Maria’s greatest joy was her family. She married the love of her life, Louis Castagnola, Jr., and they built a beautiful legacy together filled with love, laughter, and family unity. As a mother, grandmother, and friend, Maria was selfless, kind, and always embraced life with a great sense of humor. She never missed a chance to cheer on her children and grandchildren, camera in hand, capturing thousands of memories that family and friends will treasure forever. Her positivity and generosity were unmatched. Every birthday, holiday and celebration was made more special by her thoughtfulness.

Maria enjoyed traveling to many far-off destinations with her husband, children and friends. Her favorite country, of course, was Italy. She loved Positano and enjoyed many trips there with Louis. She also treasured the time she spent with her father in Mazara Del Vallo, Sicily, his birthplace.

There are no words to express how fortunate we were to experience the love, laughter and gleaming light Maria brought to our lives up until she left us. The family will forever treasure her memory as will all that knew her.

Maria is survived by her devoted husband, Louis; children, Joseph (Jessica), Antonina and Louis III (Shanel); grandchildren, Jack, Luke, Charlotte, Louis IV, Capri and Leo Joseph; Brother Salvatore Giacalone (Carissa) and sister Angela LoCoco (Nicola) and many nieces, nephews, and godchildren. She was predeceased by parents Angelina and Giuseppe Giacalone, and sister Josie.

Funeral services will be held on September 29, 2025, at Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 7669 Girard Ave, La Jolla CA 92037. Recitation of the rosary 9:15am, followed by memorial mass 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UCSD, In Honor of Maria Castagnola Tributes, c/o The Gift Processing Office, Dr. McHale, ovarian cancer, UC San Diego Foundation, 9500 Gilman Drive #0940, La Jolla, CA 92093, or City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Rd., Duarte CA 91010, Attn: Tim Lee, Philanthropy, Dr. Han, ovarian cancer, in honor of Maria Castagnola.

To honor Maria’s memory, we welcome you to share your stories, photos, and reflections by emailing:

[email protected]