Leonila Santos Castro

Leonila Santos Castro, 93, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2024. Born on April 23, 1931, in Lingayen, Philippines to Juan and Eugenia Santos, Leonila lived a full and vibrant life from beginning to end and touched the lives of many people along the way.

The youngest of four sisters in a hardworking farming family, her fierce ambition and diligent work ethic propelled her to academic success. She earned a full scholarship to the esteemed University of the Philippines, where she pursued a degree in Nursing. In 1959, she traveled abroad to the US when she was selected, along with a group of fellow nursing students to participate in the Philippines' first exchange student program at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing in Galveston.

Her journey took another transformative turn soon after when she met Delfin Castro, a US Navy serviceman also from Lingayen, Philippines. Their union in San Diego marked the beginning of a new chapter in both their lives. Leonila devoted herself to nurturing their growing family as the Navy took them to many duty stations including California, Washington, Virginia, Texas and Spain. In addition to her role as a Navy wife and dedicated mother to four children, she pursued a nursing career where she worked at various hospitals including Sharp Memorial Chula Vista and Coronado, Scripps Chula Vista, Balboa Naval Hospital and UCSD Medical Center. She then channeled her energy and compassion to become Owner of Raven Guest Home, a nursing home she managed for the elderly and later for the developmentally disabled.

Leonila’s legacy is cherished by her children: Carolyn Shirreffs and son-in-law William, Josephine, Delfin Jr, Patrick and her beloved grandchildren Nicholas, Scott, and Madison. She is also survived by her elder sister Ely Emy Jimenez and nephews and nieces in the Philippines.

Leonila's life was a testament to love, resilience, ambition and dedication. Her memory will continue to inspire and comfort all who knew her.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Magnolia Room at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. Funeral service is from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at the same location, concluding with an interment service.