Estrella Castro Dandridge

One of 12 children, Esther was born on April 10, 1944, in Mabalacat, Pampanga, Philippines, to parents Felix and Juana Castro. She worked 20 years in finance at Vandenberg Air Force Base before retiring and settling into her full-time roles as grandmother and fair-weather Los Angeles Lakers fan.

Esther lived a life marked by strength. She had strong faith, a strong voice, and an even stronger love for her family. She loved Jesus deeply, and her faith was a foundation that carried her through every season of life. Her love lives on in the family she cared for so wholeheartedly—in the stories we tell, in the meals we share, and in the lessons she taught us about loving people by taking care of them. She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. Though our hearts are heavy with her passing, we find comfort knowing that she is now in the presence of Jesus — our “star” has gone home to heaven.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents, Felix and Juana Castro; and brothers, Fernando, Marcelo, Jaime, and Conrado Castro. She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Arthur Dandridge; children, Michelle, Bradley, and Jeffrey; daughters-in-law, Melanie and Annette; grandchildren, Joe Ray, Mykal, Melanee, Kaleb, Sophia, Kiara, Elijah, Alexa, Izaiah, Ava, and Emi; great-grandchildren, Athena, Idris, Kendric, and Karter; and siblings, Felicidad Narciso, Lourdes Gomez, Pepito Castro, Rose Halili, Felicito Castro, Ernesto Castro, and Carmelita Sibug.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720, US, on August 25, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720, US, on August 26, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:00 am.