SALEM - It is with great sadness that the family of Lucila C. Arias, of Salem, Massachusetts, announces Lucila’s passing on the early hours of June 15th, 2022 at the age of 92 years. Lovingly referred to as "Grammy” (abuelita), Lucila was born in Tlalpujahua, Mexico to Felisa Lopez and Antonio Castillo, the second oldest of 5 siblings. She will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 61 years, David; son, David M, and daughter, Alison; 4 grandchildren: Rachel (Mike), Matthew; Kerry and Natalie, an older brother, Elfego (96 y.o.), of Mexico and numerous relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her sisters, Narce and Ester and brother Antonio, Jr.
After marrying her beloved husband, David, in Mexico City, Lucila took a leap of faith and love and moved to this country with her husband arriving in 1962. She immediately fell in love with the beautiful seaside city of Salem where she lived blissfully all her married life in the Salem Common district. Lucila loved to stroll through the Common with her husband and spent hours at the playground with her children when they were younger. She was known to be a gifted and creative seamstress, creating many matching outfits for herself and young daughter; plus, an avid gardener spending countless hours tending to her flowers and bountiful vegetables, many of which would end up in her home cooked Mexican cuisine she would share with family and friends. She so loved her grandchildren and helped raise them, in particular, with after school care; teaching them Spanish, cooking and sharing with them stories of her homeland. Lucila was a woman of a few words but her hospitable, kind, and caring qualities connected her to others and animals alike, the latter of which included 2 chickens, a pigeon, a cat, several birds and 4 loveable ‘mutts’. In her hometown she would be remembered for selflessly caring for her late nephew, Jose Luis after the passing of her brother, Antonio Jr. Her strong, devoted Catholic faith gave her the strength to withstand life’s misfortunes especially since her English language skills were limited. She will be remembered as our beloved mother, aunt, “abuelita” and most of all the devoted, dedicated esposa to “her David.”
ARRANGEMENTS: Friends and family are invited to attend visiting services at The O’Donnell Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square, Salem, MA from 2 to 4 P.M. on Friday, June 24th with a memorial service at the end of the calling hours. A full Memorial Mass will be held in the summer at her parish, Mary, Queen of the Apostles Church in Salem.
The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Catholic Charities USA (or the local Boston chapter) in Lucila’s name.
Finally, the family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Advinia Care Nursing Home of Salem and Care Dimensions of Danvers for their care and compassion of their mother.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Lucila C. (Castillo) Arias, please visit our floral store.