Lois Irene Del Castillo

Lois Irene del Castillo, 82, of Brownsville, Texas died unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. She was born in 1933 in Ancram, New York to Ellwood and Nina Miller.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, José Adrian del Castillo, her parents, sister, Irma Fromm, nephew Brian La Croix, and grandson, Graham Austin Nye.
She is also preceded in death by her brother in law, Oscar J. (Olive) del Castillo, sister in law, Esperanza (Guadalupe+) Padron, aunt, Rosita del Castillo, and nephew, Dr. Manfred del Castillo.

Lois is survived by her children: David del Castillo, Judy (Roger) Edelman, Jeff (Jan) del Castillo, Dr. Diana del Castillo Nye, José A. del Castillo III and Michelle (Cooper) Davis. Her loving grandchildren are: Danielle (Trey) Shelton, Christa (Morgan) Lee, Blair Nye, Miles (Jordan) Nye, Emily Nye, Aaron Davis & Adrienne Davis. She is also survived by nieces, Doris (Andrew) Imperati, Debra (Jeff) Welk, nephew, Bruce (Cathie) Fromm, cousins, Linda Hamlin, Robert Spaulding and Fredrica Poucher, brothers in law, Manfred (Lucia+) del Castillo, Wayne Ceballos and sister in law, Lidia (Armando) Castañeda.

Lois graduated valedictorian from Millerton High School in 1950. She went on to graduate from the New Rochelle School of Nursing in New Rochelle, New York in 1953. She moved to Brownsville, Texas and started her nursing career at Mercy Hospital. Dr. Fred De Stefano hired Lois as his office nurse. While picking up medications for the doctor's office, Lois met the love of her life, Joe. She held many nursing positions throughout her career that included Brownsville Independent School District nurse, Director of Nurses at Brownsville Medical Center, Hospital Supervisor at Valley Regional, House Supervisor, infection control and nurse educator at Dolly Vinsant and Administrator at Heart of the Valley Hospice in San Benito.
Lois served the community on a number of local boards including: Moody Clinic, Zonta International and Brownsville Community Health Center. She was a recipient of the 2007 National Jefferson Award "Points of Light". In addition, Lois was presented with the first annual Nurse of the Year Award, District 14 Texas Nurse's Association.

The culmination of Lois' life work was founding Sunshine Haven, a nonprofit hospice home for the terminally ill that serves Cameron, Hidalgo & Willacy Counties. Her vision was fulfilled in November of 2000 when Sunshine Haven opened its doors to provide end of life care with comfort and dignity.

She had an unwavering faith in God and sincerely valued her church home. Lois was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed not only by her family and friends but by all those fortunate to have known her.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2015, in the East Chapel at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at Brownsville Community Fellowship Church, 2414 Central Blvd. Brownsville, TX. Committal services will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park.

Lois' three sons and three grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include: Dennis Ambrose, Robert Autrey, Kevin Isbell, Nick Serafy, James W. Davis and Dr. Joe Zayas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Lois' name may be made to: Sunshine Haven , Inc. 7105 West Lakeside Blvd., Olmito, TX 78575.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, October 23, 2015
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Service

Celebration of Life Service

Brownsville Community Fellowship Church
2414 Central Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, October 24, 2015
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521

Memorial Contributions

Sunshine Haven, Inc.
7105 West Lakeside Blvd.
Olmito, TX  78575