Elena M. Castañon

On Sunday, March 10, 2024, Elena Margarita Castañon 93, our beloved mother, loving grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother passed away peacefully in her home with her family by her side. Mom is reunited with the love of her life, her husband Pete of 70 years.

Mom was born in Buena Vista, TX on June 28, 1930 to Felix Sr. and Margarita M. Vasquez. Grandmother, Ita, encouraged our mom to join the choir at San Jose de Cristo Rey Church in Smeltertown because of her angelic voice and taught her how to play the piano and read music. At the age of 16 Mom began working as an elevator operator in downtown El Paso. She was so proud having her first job. The most important joy she loved was that of raising her children. And as she would always say, “children are a blessing.” Mom taught her girls how to cook at a very young age and shared many of Grandmother Ita’s recipes. 

Mom met Dad in Smeltertown, TX as she was introduced to him by one of his sisters to be her escort for a coronation ball. They married on November 1, 1950. On their 50^th Anniversary Mom and Dad were fortunate to travel to Rome, Italy, touring Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Square Basilica. They also attended mass with Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Square in November 2000. Mom gifted all her 15 children Red Rosary Beads that had the scent of roses and that had been previously blessed.  

Mom taught herself to play the guitar in the late 70’s and was music director at Roger Bacon Monastery for almost 17 years and a member of “Orden de Fransiscana.” At the same time she was in the choir at San Antonio de Padua for 12 years then started attending Our Lady of Sorrow Catholic Church and joined the choir there for 8 years until she retired in 2018. 

Our mother’s love for Our Blessed Mother and Our Lord Jesus Christ is what kept her faith strong in her life and her children. Mom will truly be missed by all who knew her and the people she touched. Her extended family brought so much joy to her, her face would light up with such joyful glow. 

Preceded in death by her parents Felix Sr. (Apa) and Margarita M. Vasquez (Ita), brothers Rosendo, Luis, Tereso, Jose, Enrique and sister Teresa. Surviving siblings Maria Del Refugio Ramirez, Cecilia Bustillos, Carmen Martinez, Tony, Felix Jr., Dolores Rodriguez and Maria Concepcion de Luna.

Our mother is survived by her 9 sons and 6 daughters, Lourdes Nick (Belinda), Pedro III (Rita), Tony, Luis (Margie), Terri Sandoval, Estela C Amaya (Raul), Carlos (Imelda), Berta Sano (Martin), Lola Pontillo (Frank ), Sukie Medina (Kenneth), Sally C  Gutierrez,  Jerry Sr. (Anna Lisa), Felix (Norma), David, and Mario (Maribel). Our mother has been blessed with 41 Grandchildren, 49 Great Grandchildren, and 8 Great- Great Grandchildren. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a Vigil/Rosary at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Homes- East, 750 N. Carolina. Funeral Mass to be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 7712 Rosedale. Graveside Service will be at 11:30 AM at Mt Carmel Cemetery, 401 S. Zaragoza.

In lieu of flowers please make your donations to “Sierra de Cristo Rey Restoration Association.” P.O. Box 1003, Sunland Park, NM  88063

Pray the Rosary