Michele Castrellon

Once you had a piece of her heart, she steadfastly protected, loved and cherished you.

Michele passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Cinco de Mayo in Whittier, CA after fighting a valiant several year-long battle against breast cancer. Her family believes Michele’s dying day must signify her deep love for Mexican food and margaritas, as well as her respect for her Latina heritage—every year will surely be celebrated with a delicious fiesta in Michele’s honor.

Michele was born to David and Alicia Castrellon on January 29, 1965. As the baby in the family, she was adored and cared for until the end by her protective older sisters, Christina Echavarria and Marina Dyer. From the time she was a young girl, Michele was a loyal and committed friend. She had goals of seeing the world and had a unique way of attracting laughter. Older brother Dan was responsible for introducing Michele to music and it’s safe to say her life became dedicated to following the music.

Michele exuded rock and roll and lived her life as a free spirit, but her guiding force shifted in the best way possible when Shannon came along. Being Shannon’s mother was Michele’s most profound joy and greatest adventure. It was always the two of them against the world. Undoubtedly, Shannon is the reason Michele fought stubbornly to live as long as she did.

While her baby will always be Shannon, the kids Michele worked with as a Special Education Instructional Aid for over 20 years in El Rancho Unified School District held a large part of her heart. Michele strongly believed in advocating for awareness and inclusion of the Autism and Down Syndrome communities. To her, every child deserves equal acceptance and chances at success.

Another one of the most notable accomplishments of Michele’s life was how fiercely and patiently she cared for her mother, Alicia, even during the beginning stages of her cancer. Michele’s family is forever indebted to Michele for keeping their beloved matriarch comfortable in her final years.

Knowing that Michele is in the skies partying with the rockstars, rooming with her beloved parents again, and getting into mischief with her nephew Alexis and brother Dan who all passed before her, brings her surviving relatives and friends much peace.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following organizations that were close to Michele’s heart:

- PIH Health Foundation, Patricia L. Scheifly Breast Health Center: https://memorialgifts-pihhealth.funraise.org/

- Global Down Syndrome Foundation: https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/global-donation-form/

Michele will be laid to rest in Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601; Fountainhead Lawn; Gate: 1, Section: 6, Lot: 3907, Grave: 4.