Susana Castaneda

Catholic Services were offered in Memory of Susana Castaneda

Msgr. Robert Walton to offer Memorial Service Mass, Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 1:00pm, at Sacred Heart Church 39th & H St., Sacramento. A Celebration of Life Reception followed to share memories in celebration of her inspirational life with us. She was interred at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery 6700 21st Ave, Sacramento, California within The Yniguez Family Circle. Various Masses were offered in memoriam at Sacred Heart Parish. She was proceeded in death by her parents Estanislado & Albina Yniguez. She was loved deeply by all her siblings and their spouses: Larry Iniguez & Sister in law, Richard Yniguez & Sister in law Delores, Vera Yniguez, Mary Baker & Brother in law Robert, Liz Vallejos & Brother in law Robert, Jess Yniguez,Irene Paz. She was preceded in death by her husband the late Raymond Robert Castaneda and also proceed in death by daughter the late Margaret Mary (Peggy) & the late William R Spencer. Children in attendance Robert Raymond and his beloved companion Joy Davis, David Michael & Marri, Rose Laskey. Grandchildren at her side included Sean Gabriel & Shanna Laskey, Jamienne Louise Andris, Syndel Metcalf, Shelly Prahl, Stan Spencer, Katharine Spencer, Joe Castaneda, Rhonda Castaneda, Jason Kemp. Great Grand children visiting often to her side Kayla Prahl, Marcella Cotton, Gabriel & Arianna Laskey, Meranza & Maison Andris, Chloe & Riley Metcalf. All sending loving prayer and support...Granddaughter Susan (Spencer) & Ercole Di Geronimo, Great Grandchildren Guido, Antonella, Rocco Di Geronimo from Italy. Grandchildren Brian Prahl, Grace Spencer, Keith Spencer, Evie Spencer, Barry Metcalf, Patti Kemp. Great Grand children Kendra & John Knauer, Joe Mobley, Celina & Veronica Spencer, Lexi & Tori Spencer, Tyler & Hunter Kemp. Great Grand daughter Quinn Knauer. So many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends who all continue to send loving The celestial welcoming committee lead by Granddaughter Anna Castaneda offering a bouquet of Lilacs followed not far behind by 95+ years of family pets all handled by Thomas James Laskey. Canines owned or frequent visitors to San Miguel could not contain their love gathered at her side: Max, MoJo, Nya, Bear, Ceasar, Sadie, Taffy and Dukie. A long line of red/orange feline tabbies all named Tiger Cat - Curly Joe. Scotty the Yellow headed Amazon. Quackers the duck. Dorothy & Dennis the honored ancient Gold Fish. Only to name a few along with rabbits, small rodents and parakeets. Susana was a firm believer, "It's good to have pets in the house. If something BAD comes near our home or family these loving creatures will sacrifice their life in love for us". In love and glory these angels in fur, feathers, and fin welcomed her. The family would like to acknowledge dear friends and neighbors Louisa Vessell and Mrs. Josephine Davila for providing unwavering love and support. On a sunny January afternoon, in East Sacramento, Susan (Yniguez) Castaneda sat in her garden. Joined by her Great grandchildren, Gabriel & Arianna Laskey, she sat at the stone tile table enjoying the view of her fruit-filled Myers lemon tree. Planted here more than 55 years ago by her beloved father, After contemplating just who would receive these precious yellow gems, Susan instructed those in attendance on the distribution of her yearly lemon harvest. Susan loved the simple things in life, her family, her garden and giving generously to others. Born April 10, 1916, in Portola California, to Estanislado & Albina Yniguez, Susan was a true California native. She was the second born to a family of 12 children. Those that survived early childhood were: Larry, Richard, Reyes, Faustino, Vera, Mary, Liz, Jess and Irene. Although she was the second born child, she carried first born energy, caring for each sibling that followed her. Some of her first memories are at the family table where her grandmother fed her from the family grinding stone bowl called a molcajete. Perhaps this may have been where her love of cooking and feeding others first began. No one ever left her kitchen without a bit of her hearty, tasty cooking. She had a natural culinary magic of making special dishes from simple ingredients to feed everyone who was hungry. She called these dishes 'calibri',, they were meals that warmed the heart and fed the soul. She always said she was not very smart, because at the age of 10, she had to leave school to help tend to her younger siblings. Despite her lack of education, she accomplished a full rich life, and gave her family the opportunity to do the same. In 1952, Susan moved her family to East Sacramento finding the perfect location for a home. "Near a church, a school, short walking distance from a grocery store, a hospital, bus lines and nicely situated on a corner lot with little traffic. San Miguel Way - is the place she called home for almost 60 years this coming July 4th. Margret remembers "it felt so good when we got the new house, we were so glad to move". So many have felt loved and welcomed in her home. To us, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the like, it is a place where we all felt welcomed and so loved. Her garden has always been a wonderful place to sit, relax and visit with her. A little bit of heaven on earth. Sacred Heart parish became her new home of worship. To Sacred Heart school she sent her children Robert, David and Rosie. Eight o'clock was our time to attend Mass. We always sat on the Virgin Mary side of the Church. Passing the Pieta statue, pausing for a momen in humbling prayer. Mom always had her offering in the ready. We never left before lighting a candle for some family need, or just to say thank you. Attending Midnight Christmas Mass was the only way to celebrate the true coming of Christmas she loved the music and the choir. Margret states "You are so good in church, it's like God is your best friend." St. Francis High School for her girls and Christian Brothers High School for her boys. Margret remembers "I remember being so proud of how pretty she was, how she looked when she went to my open house at St. Francis High. While walking in her garden admiring the finishing touches on her new garden wall, Susan remarked in amazement - "I can't believe it myself... this beautiful house is mine. She was very wise. She always knew the best way to do things. The best advice from her favorite chair at her kitchen table. "As children, we felt so lucky because we were always well dressed, with full and happy tummies and clean warm beds to sleep upon. Our lives have been especially good, because of her loving attentive care" remembers Margret. Margret remembers: "Coming home from school on cold winter days, and the house smelling so good from the apple pies, making the kitchen so warm. And I remember, Mama's Sunday fried chicken dinners." Rose remembers: " The sound of her iron as I lay napping made me feel so secure and safe... the sound made me feel that all was right with my world." Margret remembers: "The sight of her slicing nopales made me laugh, they were so gooey, but she could do it so fast." She taught us: Love through family, Love of our Catholic faith, Love of the Earth, Love of a job well done, Love of devotionLove of time well spent, and Love of friendship. You're the BEST at all sorts of items, cooking the BEST things and directing her gardener daughter. East Sacramento people watching from her corner house on San Miguel Way the Dr. Oz Show - on keeping healthy, Music:Linda Ronstadt introduced by her son Robert (Bob) who took her to a Ronstadt rock concert. Spiritual Practice:Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in praying the rosary every day. As well as choosing a prayer to recite any time of day or night from her extensive "prayer box". Eight o'clock mass at Sacred Heart Church. 601 San Miguel Way has always been a power house for prayers of special intentions like - taking a test; a job interview; or facing any type of difficulty. Susana was the best for lighting a candle and sending up a prayerful request for help.No prayer request was ever turned away. Susana's favorite saying was >Aye Dios Mio. Susana had many jobs during her 95+ years. She would tell us she started at the age of 13 to help pay a family hospital bill. Her work ethic was so high she excelled quickly. From Papa Ta'Neilo she learned very early to save her hard earned dollars. She opened a Bank of America account with her first job. There were many cold long nights on grave yard shift so she could be with her children during the day. Too many to mention here but we know her stories. Below are the most important ones. . . Employment:Mare Island ( a 'Rosie the Riveter' in the 'Tool Room') until 1952, caring in her home for nephews and nieces- Mercy General Hospital on 3rd Main with the Dept of Housekeeping until 1981 25 + years of service caring for many Grand children and Great grand children in her home. This will remain up forever to view with comments printed and sent on to the family often. As the mist rises up from my garden, when the sun warms the Earth from above,I give thanks to my Lord for His Love, When the woes of burden bring pain; It is then I pray to Our Father in Heaven Thank Him for blessings He's given againAs I look from Earth to the Heaven, There are signs of His Grace given to me, The warmth of the sun as the day has begun, It gives warmth to the day and to me, The mist left fresh dew on the flowers, Their bright Blossoms they soon will display, These things all come from Our Father. And he sends us a precious new day. Milly Patzer This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.Psalm 118:24