Lydia S. Castro

Visitation for Lydia Santiago Castro, 92, of Des Plaines, will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine. Visitation will continue Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 11: 00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 12: 00 p.m. at St. Zachary Catholic Church, 567 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018. Entombment will follow in All Saints Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum, Des Plaines.

Lydia was born April 20, 1933, in Cabanatuan, Philippines, and passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 27, 2025, in Des Plaines.

Lydia was the beloved daughter of the late Maximo and Asuncion (née Santiago) Castro. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Rizalino Castro, Catalina Belmonte, and Cristina Acoymo. She is survived by her siblings, Celia Yu, and Emmanuel Castro. She was the adopted mother of Reynaldo Castro, and the late, Carmina Castro, whom she raised with unwavering love, devotion, and sacrifice. Lydia was also a fond aunt to numerous nieces and nephews, and a cherished great-aunt and great-great-aunt to many.

Lydia dedicated nearly 40 years of her life to nursing, serving others with compassion, professionalism, and grace. Above all, she deeply loved her family and found her greatest joy in caring for them, supporting them, and staying closely connected across generations. She was a devout Catholic and a longtime parishioner of St. Zachary Catholic Church, where she served faithfully as a Eucharistic Minister and Minister of Care. Her life was rooted in faith, service, and love, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.