Maria Mercedes Castillo, 89, of Denver, CO, passed away on January 1, 2025.  She was born on October 25, 1935  in Pierce, CO to Louis and Fermina Hernandez.  She grew up in Fort Lupton, CO and married Francisco Anthony Castillo on February 17, 1951.  She is survived by her six children: Frank Castillo, Patricia Castillo, Karen Castillo, Kurt (Maureen) Castillo, Ted (Kelly) Castillo and Dominic Castillo as well as her brother, Cruz (Mellie) Hernandez. 

She leaves behind 16 grandchildren:  Frank, Jr. Castillo, Chris (Joe) Romero, Heather (Paul) Beauchamp, Alex (Toga) Hewlett, Michael (Lili) Castillo, Melissa (Nathan) White, Mitchell (Jordyn) Castillo, Maggie (Alex) Rizik, Max (Camryn) Castillo, Ted Jr. (Cynthia) Castillo, Megan (Miguel) Portales, Francesca Castillo, Ilycia Castillo, Mina Castillo, Dominic Jr. Castillo and Angelina Castillo. 

She is also survived by 21 great grandchildren:  Frank, Devin, and Mia Castillo, Diego Luna, Mattison and Marcus Romero, Gabrielle (Chris) Castillo, Fia Hewlett, Leah and Ares Castillo, Lumen and Soledad White, Hailey Castillo, Kashton and Jayden Romero,  Anthony, Evelyn, and Eva Castillo, Nyeli, Mateo and Arabella Castillo as well as two great-great grandchildren: Lee and Prince Barraza. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and  husband, as well as her siblings Nellie Hernandez, John and Queen Hernandez, Cipriano and Delores Hernandez, her daughter-in-law, Terry Castillo and her great granddaughter, Brooklyn Castillo. 

While raising 6 children and working, Mercedes also pursued a college education. She earned a B.S. in Psychology and worked in human services for 20 years. A career she was proud of. After retiring, she began a second career as a business owner of Mercedes Painting, the family company. Connections were valuable to Mercedes as she was quite a social butterfly, making friends wherever she went. She maintained an active lifestyle which included: attending church, walking (Sloan’s Lake), playing in a women's golf league, playing family games, and watching sports. She was an enthusiastic fan of watching her sons and grandchildren participate in sports and loved her Denver Nuggets. She worked hard, but mostly, she was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother.  She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. 

                              ~ Service Information ~ 

Thursday January 16th, 2025 

Holy Family Catholic Church 

4377 Utica St. 

Denver, CO. 80212

Rosary - 9:30 am 

Mass - 10:00 am - 11:30 am 

Reception - 11:30 am - 1:15 pm 

Fort Logan National Cemetery 

4400 W. Kenyon Ave. 

Denver, CO. 80236 

Arrival time, 2:15 pm - Staging area A.