Ana Maria Lopez Castillon Lamadrid

2 Timothy 4:7

Our dear and precious Mom, Nana, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, niece, friend, and loved one to many, was called home to our Lord Jesus Christ on her 75th birthday—Friday, May 6, 2022—a little after three in the morning. Mom passed away peacefully at the UC San Diego Hospital in La Jolla with her adoring family right by her side after fighting a fierce battle with Multiple Myeloma for over thirteen years. She never questioned once and placed all her trust in the Lord. The courage and strength she exemplified during years of battling cancer are to be admired. Mom never lost her joy, her peace, or her faith. She gave those around her so much love and care despite her serious illness and debilitating ailments.

Ana María López Castillon Lamadrid was born on a Tuesday on May 6, 1947 at about 3pm in Mascota, Jalisco, Mexico to the late José María López and María López Castillon. She was the third of nine siblings. The young López family immigrated to the United States when mom was in grade school and moved up to Northern California where the family harvested and packed crops tirelessly as farmworkers. Mom would frequently recall being the fastest harvester along with her brothers, José and Miguel. Their agility and athleticism was no match for those harvesting alongside the López kids as they picked peaches, apricots, apples and so much more. Her father, José María, better known as “Don Chema”, was a businessman and investor by nature which would eventually lead the family to Mexicali, Baja California where the López family came to own commercial properties. Residence in Mexicali, Mexico and the bordering town of Calexico, California led mom to marry Ricardo Augusto Imperial and give birth to the two greatest loves of her life, her children, Ivette Michele Imperial and Joey Roger Imperial. She settled in Calexico and began working at Safeway in 1972 (later to become Vons) right after her first child, Ivette, was born. Ana María could be heard saying working at Safeway was easy compared to the fields; we would tend to disagree since her work at Safeway/Vons was nothing short of arduous. She worked nonstop and her savviness, keen intelligence, leadership and management abilities led Safeway/Vons company chiefs to promote her to Assistant Manager for the Calexico store where she remained for 30 years up until her retirement in 2002. Ana María, remarried in 1980 to Joe Lamadrid embracing his two precious children Dana Lynn Lamadrid and Ronald Dean Lamadrid. Together, Joe and Ana became successful property owners. In reality, mom retired only a couple of years ago since she continued to manage the properties acquired throughout the years. Joe and Ana made great partners in life and enjoyed many years of marriage.

We all were blessed to have this precious woman as our own; an incredible mother, wife, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother who balanced her family and work seamlessly. During her children’s school-age years, mom made sure to attend most of, if not all, of their events and was their number one fan. Whether it was cheering on in softball or baseball, mock trial or any number of school events, to being the Little League President because her son was playing, mom always managed to juggle it all to a tee. She kept cheering her children on through high school and made sure they each had a college degree, something she always wanted. She was a proud momma and grand-mother and she let it be known. She doted on her children, grand-children and her great-grand-children without limits and was the most loving and affectionate Nana anyone could wish for. In addition, she often expressed that she considered Carlos, whom she loved dearly, not only a son-in-law but a son. They spent much time together and she loved talking to him and sharing her endless wisdom as he listened attentively to her stories and advice; he as well loved her not only as a mother-in-law but like a second mother.

Mom loved the Lord and our Blessed Mother with all her heart and most of the day you would find her praying her devotions and watching mass on her iPad. Mom’s love for the Lord was reflected in many ways and most especially in her helping many people. She gave and assisted others humbly and quietly, never boasting about her immense generosity. She was genuinely compassionate and empathetic towards others. She was always willing to give and help for the goodness of others.

Mom had a great sense of humor and was a welcoming soul. We had many laughs with her. Mom also loved when we went out for dinner and we spent time in San Diego, whether it was at her second home or by the water enjoying the bay. Mom loved when we brought her warm popcorn or ice cream; she loved her tortillas de maiz, her queso panela, boiled papas with a glass of almond milk, calabacitas, tacos de frijol with queso, tamales de elote, caldos and sopas. Most recently, we took a trip to Disneyland and mom enjoyed it very much. Mom loved amusement park rides since she was a very young girl and made sure we all did as well. Mom was and always will be our family’s Matriarch and remain in our hearts forever. She has left a void that no one can ever fill, yet we find comfort in knowing she is resting in peace in God’s glorious presence.

The family is eternally grateful to Dr. Cailtin Costello, the most amazing oncologist ever, who treated mom for over a decade at UCSD, her nurse Ursula “Ursi” who was the epitome of a compassionate nurse and all the medical staff who treated and attended to our dear momma and nana throughout the years. Thank you to all family and friends who one way or another were supportive in a variety of loving ways.

Ana María is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Lamadrid; the father of her two children, Ricardo Augusto Imperial; her parents José María López “Don Chema” and María López Castillon; her sisters Elisa “Licha” Duenas and Lupita López; her brother Miguel López; her beloved uncle Salvador Castillon and her nephews Salvador “Sal” Castillon and Aurelio “Yeyo” Castillon.

Ana María is survived by her children Ivette Michele Imperial-Gonzales (Carlos), Joey Roger Imperial (Justine), Dana Lamadrid and Ronald Lamadrid (Perlina); grandchildren Kassandra Rose Imperial, Rebecca Nicole Imperial, Ana María Arambula (Angel), Isabella Michelle Gonzales, Camilla Ivette Gonzales, Joey Imperial Jr., Maximus Imperial, and a baby-boy-to-be Imperial; great grandchildren Karabella Toledo, Noah Toledo, Aubree Imperial and Sophia Inez de María Arambula; her sisters Rosario “Chayo” López, María Elena “Nena” López, Evangelina “Eva” López; her brothers Jose López and Arturo López; her beloved aunt Lydia Castillon; her beloved niece Esmeralda López; as well as additional nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are welcomed to join us at our dear mother’s funeral mass which will be held on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, at 10 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in El Centro to be officiated by Father Edward Horning. A rosary and reception will follow in St. Gregory’s Room in the Parish Center.

The family has arranged for her remains to be placed to rest inside of the Holy Cross Catholic Mausoluem in San Diego, California, where mass will be said for her every Friday. In the future, following the funeral mass, family and friends may visit her glass niche in the Sacred Heart Columbrium entering the Mausoluem.