Feliciana Castilleja

Feliciana H. Castilleja, a College Place resident, age 88, passed away in Walla Walla on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016. She departed this life peacefully and in the company of her family.

Feliciana was born in Edinburg, Texas, on April 20, 1928, to Juan and Alafonsa (Camero) Hernandez. She attended school in Edinburg, completing junior-high. In December 1944, Feliciana married Jose Antonio Castilleja. They moved to the Walla Walla area in 1946 with their one year old daughter, Dora, and later gave birth to their second daughter, Lupe, in 1947. Feliciana made this community her home for the past 70 years.

Feliciana was employed as a cook at St. Mary Hospital for over 30 years, retiring as the head cook in 1989. Prior to her job at the hospital, she worked in canneries and did field work picking cotton, asparagus, and other crops. Even after retirement, her labor of love was caring for her great-grandchildren while their parents worked.

Feliciana was an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where she volunteered her time and talent for several years in Las Guadalupanas, as a Eucharistic Minister, and other church activities. She was one of the founding members of the Latin American Club and worked their food booth at the county fair for many years.

Feliciana was dedicated to her husband, family, and church and demonstrated her love in her tireless and attentive care of all. She was an excellent cook and could whip up a delicious meal in minutes, always assuring you had not only something, but plenty to eat. She enjoyed spending time with her family and attending the performances and events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also known to make frequent treks to Wildhorse Casino to pass the time.

Feliciana is survived by her husband, Jose Antonio Castilleja; daughter and son-in-law, Dora and Olegario Reyes of Walla Walla; six grandchildren, Elsa (Manuel) Escalante of Walla Walla, Enrique (Carmen) Muñoz of Edinburg, Texas, Adrian (Eileen) Reyes of Spokane, Raquel Muñoz, Arminda Muñoz, and Rozina Muñoz of McAllen, Texas; 10 great-grandchildren, Angelica and Aime Escalante of Walla Walla, Lorenzo and Mateo Reyes of Spokane, Hakim, Iris, Kayla, and Teresa Marquez of Mcallen, and Leilani and Azure Muñoz of Edinburg. She is also survived by sisters, Encarnacion Olivarez of Mission, Texas, Mary De La Garza of Charlotte, N.C., and Amelia Aguilar of Pasco; brothers, John (Pebble) Hernandez of Bullhead City, Ariz., and Frank (Mary) Hernandez of Walla Walla; several brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Alafonsa Hernandez; daughter and son-in-law, Lupe and Tito Muñoz; granddaughters, Crisi Reyes and Sylvia Muñoz; brother, Jose Hernandez; and sisters, Amparo Hernandez, Soledad Hernandez, Susana Ramirez, Mary Ann Gonzalez.

Viewing and visitation will be held at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016, from 11 a.m. until after the Rosary which will be recited at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Graveside services will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church, Walla Walla Community Hospice, or other organizations of the donor's choice through the funeral home.