Isabel and Hugo de Castro

On this week, which would have marked their 65th wedding anniversary (July 25th), it is with great sadness we announce the passing of Isabel and Hugo de Castro. Isabel née Shapiro was born in Los Angeles on May 30,1937 and attended Los Angeles High School. Hugo was born in Panama City, Panama on September 12,1935. Hugo immigrated to the United States at the age of 12 and attended Fairfax High School. Isabel and Hugo met at a Wilshire Blvd Temple dance in high school. They were married July 25, 1958 and spent nearly 70 years together, building a beautiful life and family.
Isabel was a beautiful, kind, funny and gentle soul. She was a wonderful friend, but her greatest joy and pleasure was her role as a mother and grandmother. She ran their home with love, filling it with delicious food and a large crowd as it was always "the more the merrier". Multiple generations of their community felt at home and were always welcomed in the de Castro house, affectionately known as "La Quinta Isabel". Every Sunday was family day followed by a regular weekly routine of expert mahjong and scrabble with friends.
Hugo graduated from UCLA, BS, cum laude in 1957 and graduated UCLA Law School, JD, summa cum laude in 1960 and immediately became a civic leader. After working with his partners for 10 years, he co-founded the prestigious Westwood, CA Estate, Tax and Real Estate law firm- de Castro, West, Chodorow, Mendler & Glickfeld in 1971 serving the Los Angeles legal community with honor for over 50 years. Hugo always felt incredibly grateful for the opportunities he found in his adopted home, Los Angeles. While his mother country Panama was in his soul, Hugo immediately became a proud Angeleno. Hugo expressed his gratitude through philanthropy, civic action and his personal dedication to many of his most beloved organizations serving on the boards of UCLA Law School, Westlake School for girls (now Harvard Westlake School), UCLA Hillel, Hebrew Union College, Stephen Wise Temple, and The Jewish Community Foundation. He was a fanatical UCLA fan and a member of the UCLA Chancellor's Circle. He remained extremely close to his many Pi Lam fraternity brothers having a monthly lunch with them. Hugo and Isabel proudly cheered from the same excellent UCLA football and basketball seats for 50+ years. Hugo especially enjoyed genealogy and traced his family roots back to the 1500's. Hugo will be remembered for not only his kindness and generosity but for his wonderful sense of style. He was always dressed to the nines with a white linen sport coat, silk pocket square and a Panama hat. Anyone could spot him from a mile away.
As a couple, Isabel and Hugo loved the LA Philharmonic, sailing and traveling around the world with their closest friends. However, their greatest pride and joy was their large loving family. Together they raised 4 daughters-Susan (Steven) Teresa (Michael), Andrea (Roy) & Michelle (Lionel). They were also blessed with 13 grandchildren- Daniel, Jordan, Bradley (Peyton), James, Henry (Kristina), Patrick (Izzy), Alex (Arissa), Sam (Carolyn), Hugo, Adam (Meg), Annabelle (Jeremy), Cecilia (Alexandre), Leonardo and 4 great-grandchildren -Andersen, Gabriel, Adalyn and Sarah.
After a 15-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Isabel passed away on September 17, 2022. Her unwavering strength and courage was remarkable. Isabel died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving husband of 64 years, Hugo, and all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Surprisingly, only seven months later, Hugo also passed away peacefully at home on April 8, 2023, surrounded by his adoring family. Hugo struggled with renal disease for many years but ultimately died of a broken heart.
Their family misses them both so much but takes comfort in knowing that they are together again, watching over and loving everyone from above.