Irma Mesina Castro

Our hearts are heavy to share the passing of our beloved Mama and Apo, Irma Mesina Castro.

Irma, age 83, of Plano, Texas, went to be with our Lord on July 19, 2025. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren until her last breath.

Irma was born on March 1, 1942, in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, to Vicente Mesina and Marcosa De Ocampo Mesina. She had a happy bucolic childhood with siblings Noemi, Andy, Jimmy, Olga and Cora. She was nicknamed Ganda (beautiful) by her loving father. Irma made them proud by graduating from Philippine Women’s University with a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance. During college, well intentioned meddling aunties introduced her to her future husband, Dr Roberto O. Castro (Bert).

Bert and Irma grew their family in the ‘60s and ‘70s in the Philippines and were blessed with four children, Juliemar, James Romvic (Bec), James Robert (Rob), and Roma Gwyda (Gyd). The early ‘80s started the family adventure that would be their new life in America. In Melrose Park, Illinois, they raised their four children into adulthood in their small but mighty home on Armitage Street. The Armitage home iconically housed many friends and families who were starting their own journey in America or simply needed a helping hand. She is widely known as the second mother to many. Irma was not only raising her children, but also working full time for decades at Villa Scalabrini Home for Aged where she helped countless seniors in the dawn of life as a favorite aide on Unit G. In turn, they fine tuned her crochet, needle point, and Italian recipes.

In the ‘90s, Bert and Irma would make one last move to Plano, Texas, following their grown children who moved for work and college. Irma was heartbroken when her beloved Bert passed too soon at age 62. A new era of her life emerged after the sadness when her independence allowed her to become a budding real estate investor, interior designer, general contractor for her home remodels, avid gardener, and even opened a home daycare where she again raised many children. She especially enjoyed traveling and splitting her time between her family in Texas and her home in the Philippines. Her long visits to the Philippines allowed her to spend precious time with her siblings and mother before they preceded her in death. In Texas, she most loved watching and celebrating every little success, big or small, of her children and grandchildren.

She is survived and cherished as Mama to her children Juliemar Castro Atanacio and her husband, Rene Atanacio; James Romvic Castro; James Robert Castro and his wife, Kay Garcia Castro; Roma Gwyda Castro Tanovan and her husband, David Tanovan. Known as Apo to her grandchildren, she will be deeply missed by Gabrielle Louise, Miguel, Elliott David, Gracie Irma Gertrude, James Connor, Quincy Daniel, Nicole Julieana, and Samantha Marcosa.

The Celebration of Life for the world’s greatest Mama and Apo will be held Friday, August 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. We invite all who knew and loved Irma to join us to celebrate her as she so deserves.

There will be a reception to follow the mass.