Born on September 5, 1959 in Victoria, Laguna, Philippines
Passed May 12, 2025, in Palm Bay, Florida
Annabelle Dator Castillo (Abelle) passed away peacefully on May 12, 2025.
Abelle was born on September 5, 1959 in Victoria, Laguna Philippines to her parents Jose Salvador Dator and Marina Tesoro. Abelle was 1 of 8 siblings: Alexander (Joy), Peregrina (Per), Teodoro (Terry), Victoria (Vicky), Eudicael (Eudee), Marinela (Mitzie) and Bernardo (Bing Bong).
Abelle attended High School at Our Lady of Victoria Academy and graduated from the Philippine Women’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology. Abelle came to New York City in 1984 and married her loving husband Luis Espiritu Castillo(Junnie) on April 19th 1986. Together, they built a life in Brooklyn, New York with their sons Jason and Bryan.
Abelle thrived throughout her professional career with tenures at Lutheran Medical Center NYU Langone as a Dietary Supervisor, Maimonides Medical Center as a Food and Nutrition Manager and at Mount Sinai West as a Patient Care Manager. Lovingly known as Mom, Mama, Miss Cas, Lady Belle and Bella by her colleagues, Abelle touched thousands of lives over her 35 year career marked by integrity and dedication.
Abelle enjoyed cooking, classic films and musicals, vacations with Junnie, tending to her home and garden in Palm Bay and most of all, devoting time, love and attention to her loved ones especially her 3 boys, husband Junnie and sons Jason and Bryan. Abelle was so beloved by the children in the family that she was affectionately called “Mommy Abelle”.
Living in alignment with the principles of Faith, Family, Kindness and Compassion, Abelle had a unique and indelible effect on all she came across and poured her love and understanding willingly to those who were in her orbit. Above all, Abelle was devout in her Faith and love of God. She read the Bible daily and constantly prayed for her family and loved ones. Abelle truly wanted the best for all and for everyone to live and love full and well.
Special thanks to the siblings of Abelle and Junnie as well as the Dator, Espiritu, Crudo and Ramirez families for the constant support especially during this last year.
The family extends it’s heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Holmes Regional Medical Center, AdventHealth Orlando, Cancer Care Center of Brevard Palm Bay and the William Childs Hospice House for the excellent care, love and attention given to our dearest Abelle.
14 entries.
Catherine Squire
from Brooklyn wrote on May 23, 2025:
Annabelle and I worked together for many years in the Food and Nutrition Department of Maimonides Hospital. She was a beautiful person inside and out. No matter how her day was going she was always pleasant. She will be truly missed. Rest In Peace my friend 🕊️
My most deepest condolences to the family.
God Bless You
Catherine
Virgil Jackson
from BROOKLYN wrote on May 21, 2025:
Deepest condolences brethren.. love always..stay Strong. Love for your mother never stops. Even in death. 🙏🏾
Doris Zablidowsky
from West Hills CA wrote on May 16, 2025:
Annabelle and I worked for the Food and Nutrition department of the Maimonides Medical Center for more than 20 years. I had a great admiration for her because she was not only a very competent and dedicated manager of a department with over 100 employees, but the way she treated people, with respect, kindness, compassion and caring. She always had a smile on her face regardless of a good or bad day. My deepest condolences to her husband, sons, family and friends. My dear Annabelle will always be on my mind!
Nellie Shemelzman (Novak)
from Brooklyn wrote on May 15, 2025:
It is with a heavy heart that I write this in memory of a truly remarkable colleague and friend Annabelle Castillo. For 13 years at Maimonides Hospital, we worked side by side, and I was continually inspired by her unwavering dedication, deep knowledge, and genuine compassion. She was someone you could always count on — dependable, strong, and grounded in kindness. Her management skills were exceptional, but it was her good heart that truly set her apart. She touched the lives of so many with her warmth and integrity. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the lives she helped and the legacy she leaves behind. My dear Annabella, you will be missed tremendously 💔
Alex & Nicollette
from Piedmont, SC wrote on May 15, 2025:
We will always remember Annabelle and her heartwarming spirit.
I will always remember her lovingness and generosity she showed us when we would visit her home in Brooklyn. Always trying to feed us, and making sure we were comfortable.
During those years her son Bryan and I had a band, making a ruckus in the basement, and staying up late into the night. She always supported us with encouragement and making us feel like we were aways welcomed, and that her home was our home too.
I am grateful to Annabelle for being a wonderful mom to her two sons Jason and Bryan, as they are my good friends to this day.
She will always live within, as long as we cherish our memories of her. May her soul rest in everlasting peace.
Richi Yam DiMiceli
from Summerville, SC wrote on May 15, 2025:
Deepest sympathies to the family. Eternal Rest Annabelle. May perpetual light shine upon you.
Dr. Marvo Forde
from Laurelton New York wrote on May 15, 2025:
I met Annabelle at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn New York, it was at the start of her professional career in New York. Our spirits made an immediate and profound connection that continued through all these many years, to Maimonides Medical Center and beyond. Visits to family homes and celebrating various family events. She was affectionately called “Bella” by my family and I. This means beautiful because Bella was not only beautiful on the outside, she was also beautiful on the inside. Kind, compassionate, caring, affectionate, humble and empathetic, with all these qualities she also stood firm and advocate for what is right when the occasion came. I will always keep Bella’s warm and engaging smile in my memory, and the sense of peace knowing that she was deeply rooted in her Christian faith, and devout love of God and family. My sincere condolences to Junnie, Bryan, Jason and all family and friends. May her soul Rest In Eternal Peace. From Mommy Marvo.
Ayda Castillo
from CT wrote on May 15, 2025:
I find myself remembering the incredible impact she had on all of our lives. Bella was a dear friend and a mother to many of us, guiding us with her kindness and compassion. I feel fortunate to have worked alongside her for so many years, learning invaluable lessons that have shaped me into the person I am today.
Everyone felt her compassion. Ms. Bella had a unique way of making everyone feel valued, and her belief in the good in people taught me the power of Kindness. I’ll forever remember her as a great human being.
Thank you Ms. Bella, for everything. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Ayda Castillo- your lost daughter
Bianca Soto-King
from Brooklyn wrote on May 14, 2025:
Annabelle was and always will be remembered as one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. She was small, but fierce and an inspiration. She will truly be missed. My condolences to her boys and her devoted husband. God bless.
Amy Ortiz
from Brooklyn wrote on May 14, 2025:
My deepest condolences to you and your family. May her love and memories bring you comfort.
Jenniffer Rebong
from Eatontown wrote on May 14, 2025:
You will not be forgotten, You will always be remembered through your lovely smile. Your story about your fondest memories at Mama Rexie’s home at Elmhurst Queens. The simple thing about washing the dishes, thus brought joy into your heart. You are such a simple but amazing person. You’re beautiful inside and out. Rest in Peace and be one with our Creator.
Barbara + Miguel
from Fort Myers wrote on May 13, 2025:
Abelle will be deeply missed by family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues including Miguel & myself. My children and I were fortunate to always be welcome guests in the Espiritu/Castillo households. We all have been touched by Abelle's graciousness, kindness, and dedication to family and religion.
May her memory bring comfort to all who remember her.
Keena Durity
from BROOKLYN wrote on May 13, 2025:
My deepest condolences to your family. May God bless and cover your family with his ever present comfort, love, and peace during this season of life. You are in my thoughts and prayers .
Onika Fraser
from Brooklyn wrote on May 13, 2025:
It is with great sadness I pen these words, Annabelle was more than a Manager to me, she was my friend, mom, and sister. I’m truly comforted knowing Annabelle knew the Lord and served Him in spirit and in truth, Annabelle Loved her family, always concern about leaving her boys behind. Annabelle you were a rare gem, I will miss you dearly. Rest in peace my beloved🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Born on September 5, 1959 in Victoria, Laguna, Philippines
