Obituary of Ana E. Castillo

Longtime resident of Alexandria, VA, Ana E. Castillo died December 24, 2014 peacefully at her home with her family and loving pets by her side. She was 89 years old. Ana was born in 1925 to Ana Margarita and David Leon Martinez in Santa Rosa de Ubala, a municipal district of Cundinamarca, Colombia, South America. Ana was the eldest of four sisters (Ana Berta, Ana Isabel, Ana Francisca, and Ana Louisa) and one brother (David). Ana always dreamed of coming to the United States and in 1950 she had an opportunity to travel with a military family as an au pair and moved to Washington, DC. It was there she met Gregorio C. Castillo, an Army veteran who fought in WWII, and were married in October, 1950. Ana was a devout Roman Catholic and Christian who could recite scripture and read her bible every night. Through the years, Ana worked as a seamstress and a line cook for 40 years at various restaurants and finally at The Circle Bistro in Washington, DC. She received numerous awards from The Circle Bistro from 1990-2007 for employee of the month and employee of the year which showed her devotion and dedication to her craft. She was a tireless employee from early morning to late afternoon working in a hot kitchen. She was happily married to Gregorio until 1976 when he passed away. Ana is survived by her daughter, Anna Isabel Castillo and her son, Francisco Leon Castillo, Sophie her dog, and Cleo her cat. A Memorial mass will be held at St. Rita’s on Russell Road Alexandria, VA. Interment will be private at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.