Rosa F Mendez de Castillo

She was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala on December 3, 1927, to parents Antonio Mendez and Soledad Valdez. Rosa married the love of her life, Basilio, in 1946. They were blessed with 7 children.

Rosa's life was defined by faith, family, courage, creativity, service, and love.

Rosa had a deep passion for people and, above all, for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shared her faith with anyone she encountered and found ways to serve and help others wherever she was.

Her love for people naturally made her a nurse and a minister, regardless of where she was or whom she was with. She loved God deeply and passionately shared her faith with her family, friends, and everyone around her. She actively participated in the construction of the Church of the Nazarene in Guatemala. With her gift for baking, she lovingly prepared bread and snacks for the group of people who worked on its construction. Her love for God and for children continued throughout her life. She was the first Sunday School teacher for the infants at The Rock of Sarasota Church, where she lovingly cared for and taught the youngest members of the congregation.

Rosa faithfully served in the churches she attended, including Iglesia Nueva Jerusalem, Iglesia de Dios Galilea, Iglesia Antioquia, Iglesia Rey de Reyes, The Rock of Sarasota, Iglesia Oasis, and First Sarasota. She was a devoted Christian who spent countless hours on her knees praying for her family and friends. She prayed for everyone; from the oldest members of the family to the youngest. Her faith was not simply something she talked about; it was the foundation of the way she lived her life.

In church, she was lovingly called "Abuelita" because she had a special way of making people feel like family. She loved people deeply, and many of those she met came to think of her as their own grandmother. She wasn't only “Abuelita Rosita” to her family. She became "Abuelita" to countless people whose lives she touched.

Rosa was known for thinking of others, helping those in need, and always looking for ways to give. She was also known for her courage. She had very little fear when it came to protecting the people she loved. If someone she loved needed help, she would step forward.

One of the stories that best demonstrates Rosa's courage happened during the years of military governments in Guatemala. At that time, public secondary schools were viewed by the government as places where guerrillas were being formed. As a result, there were frequent confrontations between police and students.

During one particularly frightening incident, gunshots could be heard throughout the area. Rosa's grandchildren were attending an elementary school nearby. The school went into lockdown. When Rosa realized what was happening, she went to get her grandchildren. But she didn't stop with her own family. Without fear, she gathered not only her grandchildren but also the children who lived on the same block. She simply said:

"Vengo por mis hijos."

"I'm here for my children."

She gathered approximately 15 children and walked them home while gunfire, tear gas, and chaos were happening around them. She wasn't thinking about her own safety. She was thinking about getting the children home. That was Abuelita Rosita. She was courageous, protective, fearless, and fiercely devoted to the people she loved.

One of the most beautiful and unique things about her was her generosity towards children. She could rarely see a child without having something to give; a toy, a piece of clothing, or a sweet treat. Her purse always seemed to hold a little something for someone. She had a generous heart and found joy in giving to others. She was the pillar of her family and a true prayer warrior. She faithfully prayed for every member of her family, from the oldest to the youngest.

Rosa had a deep appreciation for the arts and spent much of her life immersed in painting, music, reading, writing, crafting, and, above all, preaching the Gospel and praying. She was a gifted composer, a talented opera singer, and a skilled artist. She had a beautiful ability to transform her imagination and emotions into music and art. Rosa especially loved singing. Family reunions often became impromptu concerts filled with music, laughter, and memories.

She loved old hymns, especially "How Great Thou Art." “Como mi Dios” and “The Old Rugged Cross”. She frequently sang her own musical compositions, including: Sueño Inefable, Cuando Desamparada Creía Estar, and El Día que Conocí a Jesucristo,Señor Gracias Te Doy”, Por La Mañana” to name a few. Rosa was a talented artist who loved painting with watercolors, gouache, and acrylics and anything else she found on her way like lipsticks, eye shadows and nail polish. She could spend hours painting roosters, chickens, birds, and flowers. Through her paintings, she expressed her creativity, imagination, and love for the beauty around her.

Rosa’s love of art extended beyond painting and music. She quite enjoyed film related art. Some of her favorite movies included China Cry, Redeeming Love, Overcomer, The Forge, Lolo and the Kid, Where the Crawdads Sing, I Can Only Imagine, Titanic (which she watched like 102.25 times), and La Nina del Violin.

She, also, was an avid reader. Rosa loved reading her Bible. She read countless books and particularly enjoyed the work of Rebecca Brown. Some of the books she enjoyed included Médico de Cuerpos y Almas and others.

When Rosa was not at home spending time with her cherished family, creating art, or serving others- she enjoyed visiting ice cream shops, Hobby Lobby, Cracker Barrell, and of course church.

She was a nurse who cared for people, an evangelist who cared about their souls, an artist who expressed herself through beauty, a composer who turned her emotions into music, and a mother and grandmother who considered her family her greatest treasure.

She prayed for her family. She sang with her family. She created with her family. She protected her family. And she loved her family fiercely. But her love didn't stop with her family. She had a way of making people feel that they belonged to her family. That is why so many people called her Abuelita.

Her legacy is not only in the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren she leaves behind. Her legacy is also in every person she encouraged, prayed for, helped, taught, sang with, ministered to, or welcomed into her heart. Abuelita Rosita lived a life of faith and love, and her greatest desire was for others to know the Jesus she loved so deeply.

Rosa is predeceased by her parents, Antonio and Soledad; her beloved husband, Basilio Castillo; her sons, Victor and Eddy; and grandchildren David Jr., Camila Regina, Favio, Benjamin, and Dina Rhee.

She is survived by her loving children, Leticia, Lidia, Damaris, David and Samuel, siblings Raul, Victor, Benito, Antonio, Arturo, Marta, Sara, Marina, and Carmen; beloved grandchildren, Lilian, Dina, Karen, Rosita, William, Claudia, Armando, Anabella, Acely, Pablo, Christian, Mishell, Brandon, Carlos, Joshua, Stanley, Zack, Karen, Stephanie, and Elijah; cherished great grandchildren, Damaris, Alejandra, Krystel, Braden, Kayleigh, Andrea, Michelle, Ruth, Dylan, Brody, Tatiana, Gavin, Triston, Lance, Jasmin, Logan, Carson, Kaydence, Colby, Benjamin, Matthew, Josue, Caleb, Sophia, Paula, Samantha, Bella, Ethan, Priscilla, Mathias, Alina, Judah, Jeremy, Miriam, Joseph, Michael, Vanessa, Julissa; step great grandchildren, Kaleb, Shanik, Luis Carlos; and great-great grandchildren, Santiago, Ximena, Camila, Sofi, Alicia, Ethan, Thalia, and Jax.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Fellowship of Believers, located at 3333 12th St, Sarasota, FL 34237. Reception to follow. Her ashes will be laid to rest in a family plot in Ashburn Georgia.

Flower donations can be sent to church on the day prior to the memorial.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the caregivers, medical professionals, friends, family members, church family, and everyone who loved, supported, prayed for, and cared for Rosa throughout her life