Jilma Castillo Alcantara

Jilma Castillo Malek was born in Aguadulce, Panama. She attended the local school and then completed her education at the Professional School in Panama City. The family raised cattle and sugar cane. One of her favorite pastimes was horseback riding with her mother. In 1944 she met the light of her life, Joseph Alcantara, an American soldier stationed in the Canal Zone. They married after the war and moved to Santa Cruz, CA. There they started a family, raising 2 daughters and a son. She did volunteer work at Holy Cross School where her children attended. She also enjoyed sewing and needlepoint while making countless Christmas stockings and ornaments for her children and grandchildren. After the passing of her husband Joseph in 1980 she moved to Milwaukie, OR. She is survived by her three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her kind elegance."",