Ofelia Castillo Mangaliman

Ofelia Castillo Mangaliman was peacefully reunited with her husband Teofilo on June 6th, 2025. She passed away peacefully in her home, in the presence of her sisters, brother, nieces and nephews ending her year-long battle with a rare form of ampullary cancer.

Ofelia was born on December 21st, 1941 to Emilio and Remedios Castillo in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Philippines. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Ilocos Norte Normal College. After graduating, she pursued a career in teaching for 14 years.

On August 31st, 1980, she was able to come to Seattle after being petitioned by her father, Emilio. She continued her teaching career at a local day care and pre-school. Having to make ends meet, she landed a job at the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel as a food service worker. Her hard work was recognized after a few years when she became the hotel’s Food Service Employee Manager until she retired in 1997.

The brightest moment in her life was meeting her love, Teofilo. They met when she was an elementary school teacher in Sta Cruz, Zambales, Philippines. They began writing to each other when she moved to Seattle, and the relationship grew deeper and blossomed into love. She flew back to the Philippines to be with him, and on July 10th, 1986, they vowed their love to each other. She then petitioned him to come to Seattle, and in 1988, they were reunited.

Ofelia is survived, loved, and missed by her sisters, Leticia, Bella, Evelyn, sister-in-law Elena and brother Emerito. Her memory lives on with her many nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Ofelia was preceded by her father, Emilio, her mother Remedios, her husband Teofilo and brother Onofre.

We are all saddened by the passing of the matriarch of our family – our aunt, grandmother, sister, and friend. We find peace in knowing that she is no longer in pain and her reunion with Teofilo has made her heart whole again.

A Visitation for Ofelia will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home. The Rosary will begin at 6:00 PM.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, located at 7000 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126. Following the service, a Graveside will be held at 1:30 PM at Holyrood Cemetery, 205 NE 205th St, Shoreline, WA 98155.