Lydia Castillo Villareal

Lydia was born March 30, 1938 in Kawit, Cavite Philippines. She was the eldest girl of nine siblings, born to the late Vincente and Nicasia Castillo. She had met the love of her life, Daniel C. Villareal, while at a bus stop and after a six-month courtship Dan and Lydia married on January 30, 1961. They were blessed with four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

Lydia had attended Far Eastern University Manila, while working as a secretary for the Philippine Congress and Senate. In 1973, she and her four children joined Danny in the U.S. where they made their home in West Covina, California. She became a U.S. citizen in 1976.

She was a true help mate for Danny. The importance of providing for her family was ingrained within her character. She was a conscientious and hardworking employee at ARCO, where she made her career as a legal secretary until her retirement in 1998. After retirement Lydia still worked as a legal secretary for several companies in the Los Angeles area. She had set the example for her children, to be diligent, responsible, contributors within their marriages, and despite being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, Lydia continued to work. She had beaten breast cancer in 1989.

No one can make “Pancit” like mom. She enjoyed cooking for her family and delighted in sharing her “little secret” when asked how to cook a Filipino dish. She loved shopping, traveling, family gatherings and walking the mall with Dad. Her grandchildren, who knew her as “Umma” were blessed with a traditional home cooked Filipino meal, a “little something” to take home whenever they stopped by and the unconditional love of a supportive grandmother.

Lydia is survived by her children Dan, Rolando and his wife Kristi; Wendy and her husband Brian and son-n-law Dale; eight grandchildren, Troy and his wife Marisa, Luke and his wife Rachel, Adam, Marcus, Ryan, Amanda, Jake and Aaron; great-grandchildren Daniel Troy and Isaac Clark; sisters Henedina, Eloisa, Cynthia; brother Rodante; and numerous nephews and nieces.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 28th and will begin at 10:00 am at Palm Eastern Mortuary. Burial will be held at 11:00 am.