Lupita Y. Castillo

Happy - as she was known to friends and family passed away peacefully at home on June 29, 2023, at the age of 81 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.

Happy was born January 1, 1942, in Tucson, Arizona. The last child of 8 children born to Joe T. and Lucia Ybarra on Niagara St. in Barrio Hollywood.  Happy was an excellent student and loved school, especially math. Due to circumstances in those times she needed to start working at an early age to help support the family. Her work ethic and smarts led her to a decades' long, successful career in merchandising for Tucson's premier boutique - Cele Peterson's. She never abandoned her love of numbers and looked forward to tax-season, if you can imagine that, to help prepare tax returns for numerous friends and family as well as perform book-keeping duties for her brother Ernie's plumbing business.

At the age of 27 she married her husband of 54 years, Joe R. Castillo in April of 1969. The story of their beginning was incredibly special as they reconciled after a brief break-up and eloped to Las Vegas chaperoned by her future brother-in-law Hector. They embarked on their life together partnering to establish a good, loving home and solid foundation to raise their three children Joe, Teresa, and Patrick. She held down the fort as a working mother while Joe pursued his Bachelor's and later Master's degrees from the University of Arizona.  He states those degrees were as much hers as they were his as her support was the key to their success. She always encouraged people to pursue their dreams.

One of her dreams was to visit Hawaii and she did, surprising her family with her adventurous spirit. She did not know how to swim but that did not stop her from playing in the waves, boating, and snorkeling.  Another dream of hers was to be a Nana and this really was a source of Joy for her. She delighted in helping to care for and spoil her four grandchildren Adrian, Sierra, Samantha, and CJ.  She impressed upon them the desire she always had to go to school and would tell them how good a student she was - with the report cards to prove it. But what she showed them most of all was love and acceptance. Her home was filled with warmth and always inviting.

In her Golden years, the shadow of her illness loomed but she did not let it deter her loving spirit and it never overshadowed her smile.  Happy continued to support and encourage us through her sweet smile as we navigated this path. Illness can be a true test of strength. The love between Joe and Happy has stayed the course and the partnership full filled as Joe steadfastly cared for Happy at home till the end.

As a wife, mother, sister, aunt, nina, and friend Happy was One-of-a-Kind. She was a true source of "Happiness", kindness, and integrity. Anyone who was lucky to know her would agree.

Happy was predeceased by her parents, Joe T. and Lucia R. Ybarra, her brothers, Edward, Joe, Phillip, Ernie, and sisters, Helen Leon, Ruth (Cooky) Bravo, and Betty Galvan.  She leaves behind her husband Joe R. Castillo, sons Joe A. (Suzanne) Castillo, Patrick M. Castillo, and daughter, Teresa (Bret) Womach and grandchildren, Adrian Castillo, Samantha Castillo, Sierra Meyer, and CJ Meyer.

Services will be held on July 6, 2023:  Rosary recited at 9:00 am and Mass will be offered at 9:30 am both held at Most Holy Trinity Parish 1300 N. Greasewood Rd. Interment will follow at Holy Hope Cemetery 3555 N. Oracle Rd.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Debra, Krystal, and Nichole of Arista Hospice Care and Maria and Virginia for the loving care for Happy and the support they provided Joe and the family.