Otilia (Castillo) Cardwell

Otilia (Castillo) Cardwell, 85, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home on August 13, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family during her final moments. Otilia was born on August 2, 1938, in the Republic of Panama to Modesto Castillo and Estefania (DeLeon) Castillo.

Otilia met and married the love of her life, Clarence O. Cardwell, in the Republic of Panama while he was stationed in the U.S. Navy. She dedicated numerous years of her career to the banking industry as a teller. Otilia was passionate about her love for God and was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She enjoyed playing bingo and shopping. Gift giving made Otilia happy. Her thoughtfulness and generosity touched the lives of so many family members and friends.

Otilia was preceded in death by her parents, Modesto and Estefania Castillo; and her husband, Clarence Cardwell.

Left behind to cherish fond memories include her four sons, Avelino Cardwell and Jaime Cardwell, both of Jacksonville, Florida, Richard Cardwell of Beeville and Clarence Cardwell Jr. of Miami, Florida; three daughters, Maria Cardwell and Angela Jensen, both of Houston, and Leona Krueger of Skidmore; and a sister, Aminta de Araujo from Panama.

She was blessed with 12 grandchildren, Erica Branch, Lino Cardwell, Diana Cardwell, Stephanie Cardwell, Angelina Cardwell, Niki Bickings, Brandon Smith, Kyle Jensen, Ricardo Cardwell Jr., Brian Cardwell, Alia Jensen and Patrick Krueger; and eight great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, with the Rosary to be recited at 1:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 o’clock that afternoon.

Otilia will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Clarence, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio at 9 a.m. Thursday, August 17.