Jane Tiongco Castillo

When I sit back and consider the life of our beloved sister Jane, so many memories come to my mind! So countless are the memories shared between our brothers and sisters! And, while some of these are bittersweet, all shall be treasured forever.

Our dear sister, Jane T. Castillo—Ate Jing, as we called her—was born on April 24, 1948 at 8:00 P.M. in Mary Child Hospital, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. Our parents, Mariano M. Castillo and Lourdes T. Castillo, were especially invested in building a warm and loving family, so Ate Jing grew up with her two brothers, Jose and Jorge, and her four sisters, Josefina, Julieta, Joy, and Jasmin. The family considered Ate Jing and Julieta to be like fraternal "twins": they slept in the same bedroom for the longest time, and, as fortune would have it, they shared the same birthday but two years apart.

From 1958 until 1960, Ate Jing spent her primary and intermediate school years at Aurora Quezon Elementary School. She, then, graduated from Mapua High School in 1964. Our parents encouraged all of us to seek a good education, and Ate Jing excelled at this call. She graduated with two Bachelor of Science degrees—one in Physics (1968) and the other in Mathematics (1969). What is more, she graduated Cum Laude and as a Gold medalist. Soon after, she earned her master’s degree in Mathematics (1973) at Centro Escolar University (Philippines) where she became a college instructor teaching physics, mathematics and statistics courses. In the last 30+ years in the U.S.A., she had the opportunity to work and to offer her expertise in the area of computers and engineering with Howard Hughes Research Laboratories, Eaton Corporation, Stainless Steel Products, and Stadco, to name a few.

For more than 25 years, Ate Jing lived in Agoura Hills and the surrounding area of Conejo Valley. She, then, moved to Valencia with Jasmin in 2002. As the years passed, our family grew. Brothers and sisters got married and had families of their own. Ate Jing lived by the aphorisms “Family is everything” and “Love is a close-knit family.” In-laws (Ate Cora, Kuya Ronnie, Shig, Eloi, Jennifer, Jen-Jen, and Mara), nephews (Renchie, Mitchell, Omar, Odette, Kris, Ashley and Cindy), and extended grand kids (Nick, Alex, Natasha, Katherine, Johanna, Leia, Cole, and Randy) share so many memorable moments with her.

Although generally shy and quiet, Ate Jing was extremely kind, caring, thoughtful, and eager to please others. As Kuya Ronnie said, “Jing’s personality was the gem among the gems. She was humble, kind, giving, understanding, forgiving, and loving. I will remember her as my kindest, sweetest and sincerest sister-in-law. I never heard her utter a curse word or ridicule anyone. I respect her and love her very much.” Jasmin remembers that Ate Jing would constantly urge her, “Love your enemies.” Julieta remembers that, as a little girl, Ate Jing would serve lunch to Daddy and Ma all the time. She loved to cook special dinners. She used to pack lunch for us—not one, but two or even three dishes. She even learned to make gourmet cakes and began to bake fancy cakes for everyone! That is how generous she was! Trips to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, parties and celebrations—Ate Jing would be the first one to come. Her presence lightened up everyone's day.

On May 29, 2009, Ate Jing suffered a major stroke that left her paralyzed. Trials have no value or intrinsic meaning in themselves. It’s the way that we respond to those trials that makes all the difference. Ate Jing chose to continue living. Her stroke did not cripple her love; it did not shatter her hope; it did not corrode her faith; it did not destroy her inner peace; it did not kill her friendship; it did not suppress her memories; it did not silence her courage. Most of all, it did not steal her spirit and eternal life.

On May 12, 2010, Ate Jing went away to meet our Savior, JESUS CHRIST, and she left a gap to be filled by the most cherished memories. We will always remember how brightly she filled this gap for us. WE LOVE YOU ATE JING.