Griselda Castillo Obituary (1943

In loving memory of Griselda Castillo On January 16, 2024, Griselda passed away at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, Washington after 80 years of life to reunite with loved ones who went before her. Griselda was born in Pimienta, Honduras, on October 25, 1943, to her beloved parents, Lorenzo Ernesto Castillo and Guillermina (Tome) Castillo. After her father passed away when she was five years old, she spent her childhood in Villanueva and San Pedro Sula, as well as in La Ceiba, where her mother ran a small grocery store and boarding house. She moved to live with family in New Orleans at the age of thirteen and graduated from John McDonogh Senior High School in 1962. In her late teens, Griselda worked as a telephone switchboard operator in New Orleans, mainly assisting Spanish-speaking customers. Frequenting popular venues as an enthusiast of traditional jazz, big band, and Latin American music, she met her former spouse, Paul Pykonen, while dancing in the French Quarter with her cousin and brother. They were married in New Orleans in 1964. During a photo session, the wedding dress ignited when brushing against a wall-mounted gas heater. The flames were doused heroically by the groom. They eventually made their home in Kitsap County in the Pacific Northwest to be near the Pykonen Family. She infused her home with Latin temperament and culture. Homemade tortillas with refried beans and cheese, Honduran soups, Central American tamales wrapped in green banana leaves, tropical fruits, fried plantains, and Tabasco were common foods at the kitchen table. Pursuing hobbies together, the couple took dance lessons learning the Lindy hop, Texas Swing, Waltz, Cha Cha, and Rhumba. They bowled on the "Sunday Wonders" team and enjoyed traveling, taking flights near and far in the family Beechcraft Bonanza. Paul and Griselda had two children, Christina and James Pykonen. During her years as a homemaker, Griselda volunteered as a typist in the English department at Central Kitsap High School and pursued further education, taking classes at Olympic Community College. In the early 1990's she worked at the Safety Office at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton. In 1994 she began work at the Kitsap Regional Library and retired in 2012 after over 18 years working in both Circulation and Technical Services. She especially enjoyed working with the public at the front desk. She was an avid reader of non-fiction and was able to assist Spanish-speaking patrons often in her function as the primary Sylvan Way Spanish translator. As an ad-hoc, un-paid, project she organized and promoted 18 live musical performances at the library over two years to the joy of her co-workers and patrons alike. Inasmuch as Griselda was motivated to draw attention to the library's music collection, she also wanted to reach people with a variety of music and instruments to reflect the diversity in the Kitsap community. She believed that music could work through boundaries and differences at a social level. In 1999 Griselda received a renal transplant. Her family is forever grateful to the donor and the excellent care received at the Swedish Medical Center, Organ Transplant Program. After this second gift of life, she was able to carry on with her work at the library and take up old and new hobbies - (line)dancing, hiking, beachcombing, gardening, playing cards, and meeting with her many long-time friends who loved her dearly. Reflective and always looking to self-improve, she tucked away wise statements in drawers and books. She was interested in politics and spoke about current affairs in long telephone conversations. She had a big heart for her grandson, Kellen, delighting in his summer family visits from Germany. Wise with advice, she encouraged him to pursue his academic goals. In addition to her parents, Griselda was preceded in death by her brother, Lorenzo Castillo, half-sister Vilma Castillo, as well as George Quast, with whom she shared a loving companionship over many years. She is survived by her daughter, Christina Pykonen; son-in-law, Christoph Schuster; grandson, Kellen Schuster; son, James Pykonen; and other grandchildren; as well as her brother, Roberto Castillo; and a loving extended family of Castillos. Her utmost love was for her family. We miss her greatly. Griselda never wanted to be the center of attention. Her services will be for immediate family at Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana. Friends wishing to honor Griselda are invited to donate in her name to the Swedish Medical Foundation - Organ Transplant Center, First Hill Campus in Seattle (https://swedishfoundation.org/our-priorities/organ-transplant), or consider becoming an organ donor.