Beloved mother, grandmother and sister Carol Andrade Silva Castelo made her way to heaven on December 17, 2022. She was surrounded by her loved ones as she embraced the path before her to be reunited with family as God opened the gates of heaven to welcome her.
Carol was born to Tony and Mayme Andrade on August 2, 1945 in Visalia, California. She attended George McCann Catholic School, graduated from Mt. Whitney High School and attended College of the Sequoias. In 1962, Carol married the love of her life, Joseph Donald Silva and they made their home in Fresno County where they settled into married life and soon welcomed their first daughter Donnette. Sadly, Donnie tragically passed away in a drowning accident while expecting the birth of their second daughter Lisa. Carol bravely moved forward as a young, single mother of two and returned to Visalia to reside on the ranch of her father Tony and stepmother Evelyn. In 1970, she married Jorge Castelo and became a loving mother to three additional children, Alvin, Lolia and Lun, who had lost their mother in a car accident. Her mother’s heart opened wide to welcome these children and to help them transition from their native Azores to the United States.
Ever the engaged room mother, Carol was very active with her children’s classes at Mineral King Elementary School and loved being with the site so much that she soon found herself employed as a part-time aide in 1974. She advanced to full-time employment over the years working at Valley Oak Middle School, Highland Elementary School, and then returning to Mineral King where she retired in 2010 holding the title of Secretary. She was a devoted employee and very focused on providing a positive, welcoming environment for the school children, parents and staff.
Her Portuguese heritage was very important to Carol and she strove to raise her children to appreciate and celebrate their background. You could always find her attending festas through-out the Valley, and of course, in her favorite place of Pismo Beach. She was a member of the Cabrillo Club of Tulare County and several Portuguese lodges, and a financial supporter of many festas. Each year at the Pismo St. Anthony Celebration you would find her proudly displaying the Portuguese flag outside her hotel room.
Carol was predeceased by her parents Mayme Borges Gott and Tony & Evelyn Andrade, husbands Joseph Donald Silva and Jorge Castelo, and siblings Judith Andrade and Tim Andrade. She is survived by her children Donnette Silva Carter (Joe), Lisa Majarian (Paul), Alvin Castelo (Julie), Lolia McFadden (Dave), and Lun Castelo; her grandchildren Rebecca, Ryan and Rachel Majarian, Cole and Karly Castelo, Michael McFadden and Austin Castelo; uncle Les Borges (Loraine); as well as her siblings Tony Andrade Jr. (Sonya) and Marlene Andrade; in addition to many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services for Carol Andrade Silva Castelo are entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel in Visalia where visitation is scheduled for Thursday, December 29th from 4pm to 6pm, followed by the recitation of the Rosary. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Good Shepherd Parish), Visalia on Friday, December 30th at 9am. Burial will follow at Visalia Public Cemetery.
Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com
