Norma Castillo Bustamante

On the day our Lord resurrected, my aunt took some of her last breaths before she went to be with him, her parents, and her sister. 

April 4, 2021, Easter Day, my aunt passed peacefully with her family by her side. For years she fought hard to be here with her children and grandchildren, constantly in and out of the hospital, to and from dialysis treatments. However, this hospitalization was unlike others, as we knew it was finally her time to go. Anyone who knew her saw how courageous and strong she was -- often times we would say it was the Castillo blood in her. Yet even the strong get tired, and my aunt was tired this time around.
 
Before her passing, her heart stopped twice, needing extensive help to sustain her life. Knowing her, we all knew this was no way she would want to live, and so my cousins decided it was time to let her go. I cannot commend her children enough for making that tough decision, as it is one no one ever wants to make but sometimes we need to in order for our loved ones to be at peace. So, on this Easter Sunday, we all said our goodbyes before it was time to take my aunt off all the medications and the ventilator that were keeping her alive.
 
Now, as a family, we are trying to pick up the pieces and put ourselves back together, as she was essentially the glue that held us together. Even in her last years of life, she always kept up with you, despite being able to barely see and unable to walk, she always managed to call and check on you, and she never forgot to ask about what sales were going on at the stores (especially her sodas, Coke in particular). She never failed to make you feel loved, coining you with a personal nickname she’d call you by every chance she got. Quite frankly, she is one of the strongest women I will ever know. No matter how sick she got over the last few years, she always managed to come out on top; I always said she would go when she was ready. And she was ready. She stayed with us for as long as she could to watch her children grow up, and watch her grandbabies be born, and for that I know we all are forever grateful as she fought to give us these last few years with her. And now I would love to be able to give her the memorial she deserves. As a family I know we will all pitch in and help give what we can to give her the arrangement she deserves, but with the past year we have all had with COVID and the loss of jobs, it will be hard as funerals are costly. Anything at all helps, even if you just share the link. Thank you all for your support, loving words, and help during this tough time.
 
The proceeds will be going to her children, Felipe, Cecilia, and Joseph, as they will be handling all of the funeral arrangements.