Elisa Castaneda

Elisa C. Castaneda Elisa C. Castaneda, age 97, was called by our Lord on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at her residence surrounded by her children. Elisa lived most of her life in Laredo and became one of the many founders of Mother Cabrini Church. She was a dedicated member of the Altar Society and Nocturnal Adoration Society. She volunteered many services to her church and community being a very faithful and high-spirited person who loved reciting the rosary and being a church reader. Her participation at her parish was commendable supporting its needs by helping on making tamales, selling raffle tickets, baking cakes, crocheting beautiful dollies, as well as sewing attire for the nativity scenery. Elisa became a professional seamstress by learning the skill on her own by sewing all kinds of clothing. She also mastered knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking, and even had a “green thumb” for growing plants. Easter lilies were her favorite. Elisa was a stay at-home mom caring for her children; preparing mouth-watering dishes and baking the best breads and cakes ever. One could always smell the cooking aromas every time you’d walk into her home. She was always inviting and would say, “I’m sure you have time to share a meal or piece of cake with me” or “How about a cookie before you go”. That kitchen was the only place her family loved being in. At age 58, Elisa achieved becoming a nurse’s aide by receiving a certificate for training as a Community Health Aide at Laredo Junior College. By age 70, she managed to receive her driver’s license and was a very careful driver till age 85. As an active AARP member, she served as secretary, presiding beside her son, Juan Castaneda, who was president of the Laredo Chapter at the time. Elisa joined, participated, and volunteered her kind services to many organizations in her community, even as a political supporter, which resulted in an endless amount of friends, that she greatly enjoyed having. A very loving, talented, intelligent and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, she will always be remembered for her gentle smile, good spirits, love of dancing and love of mariachi music. Elisa has been a great inspiration to all her family and friends. Elisa is preceded in death by her grandson, Eduardo Vivier; husband, Felipe Castaneda; and mother, Margarita Munoz-Cardona. She is survived by her two sisters, Juanita Gonzalez and Eulalia Vasquez; and her seven children, Teresa (Joe) Blanquez, Maria de Jesus (Sergio) Fernandez, Jose (Aurora) Castaneda, Juan (Martha) Castaneda, Felipe Jr. (Pat) Castaneda, Margarita (Candido I) Aguilar, and Maria Elisa Castaneda. Elisa was blessed with 22 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. God received a beautiful angel and we express our deepest gratitude to Juan and Martha Castaneda for the devoted care of our mother, Elisa. A rosary will be recited on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. from Hillside Funeral Home to Mother Cabrini Catholic Church. A mass will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow to the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mother Cabrini Catholic Church, 3018 Davis Ave. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.