Araceli Cunanan Castro

Araceli C. Castro, 72, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, passed away at Queen’s Hospital- West Oahu on
January 21, 2024. 
She was born in Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines in 1951 to Florencio and Asuncion Cunanan. She
lived in San Antonio, Cavite City and then moved to Mariveles, Bataan when her father began
working at NASCO in Mariveles. Growing up, she was very studious and was always on the honor
roll. She graduated from Llamas Memorial Highschool and attended National University in Manila
to study accounting.
In 1972, she went home for the summer where she met her husband of 52 years, Fernando Castro.
Their love story is one to admire, getting married after only knowing each other for less than 4
weeks. Their love continued to blossom over the years and they shared that love with everyone
around them.
They couldn’t wait to start a family of their own, and their 3 children meant the world to them.
Though she loved gardening, crocheting, and Karaoke, Araceli’s favorite role was that as a
grandparent. She treasured their time with their grandkids and loved being their Grandma Cely.
Though her grandchildren were miles away, she never forgot a birthday and made every effort to
attend graduations and special events in their lives.
Araceli was passionate about her career as a manager at the Army/Air Force Exchange for 26 years.
Her husband would often call her a workaholic. She successfully opened new stores and dedicated
herself to lead her team to often exceed their targets. She was a caring, compassionate leader and
was adored by her colleagues.
Araceli will always be remembered for her cheerful personality and her sense of humor. Her children
and grandchildren will always remember their favorite dishes she would cook. Food was love and
she would spend hours in the kitchen cooking favorite meals for them whenever they would come to
visit. We’ll always imagine hearing her laugh and seeing her contagious smile one more time. We
will cherish every memory and will miss Araceli every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts of
all those who loved her.
Araceli was preceded in death by her parents, Florencio and Asuncion Cunanan, her sister Milagros
Gonzalez, her brothers Danilo, Angelito, and Florante Cunanan. She is survived by her husband,
Fernando Castro; sons Armando (Naomi) Castro and Arnold Castro; daughter Arlene (Bruce)
Provisor; grandchildren Ariel Castro, Andrel Castro, Armando Castro Jr., Dylan Ella Rae Castro,
Aeryn Castro, Arnold Castro Jr., Thaliyah Castro, Matteo Amado Castro, Anabelle Provisor, Jaden
Provisor, and Evan Provisor; her brothers Florencio Cunanan, Rolando Cunanan, Efren Cunanan,
Oscar Cunanan, and Nestor Cunanan; and her sister Teresita Reglos.