Aurora Alvarado (Castellanos)
As a registered nurse, Aurora was a healer. Her most powerful medicine: sharing loving laughs with whomever she met.
Alvarado (maiden name: Castellanos), Aurora
Saginaw, Michigan
Passed away on AUGUST 14, 2022 at 73 years of age after a lengthy illness. She was born on JUNE 16, 1949 to the late Luis Castellanos and the late Mary Concepcion (Villarreal) Castellanos at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan. Aurora was born the sixth child in a family of 10 children.
Aurora retired from her lifelong profession as a licensed registered nurse. Aurora graduated from Saginaw High School in 1967 and her Associates of Science Degree in Nursing from Delta College in 1970.
Aurora was one-of-a-kind — serene and beautiful on the outside, but a blazing fireball on the inside. Even as a very young child, Aurora was the epitome of an old soul whose compassionate and healing nature would inevitably lead her to her life-long profession — that of a Registered Nurse. Aurora was gifted in being able to “see” a patient as a whole person. She saw people with her heart, as well as, if not better, than with her eyes.
Aurora’s commitment to her family, friends, colleagues and even favorite musicians, was equally steadfast and true.
And as a mother, sister, daughter and as a friend, Aurora was always the first to encourage and the last to judge.
Her conscientious professional exterior contrasted sharply with a mischievous, playful side that found new uses for every aphorism, and every joke, “corny” or not – including that of the infamous “whoopee” cushion to lighten-up someone’s day.
Aurora was a fighter…all the way, to do the right thing and to speak up and stand up for her family, patients and colleagues, regardless of the potentially harmful consequences to herself.
In private, Aurora’s salty and direct language reflected the passion with which she lived her life in the present world.
Her voice and laughter continue to echo in the hearts of all who knew her and loved her. Aurora’s hobbies and interests included enjoying poetry, the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, the music of Julio Iglesias, excursions with a close friend, and as a teenager, preparing enchiladas for her family and for her father, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Mexico.
“Vaya con Dios, dear Aurora, and may ‘flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.’”
Aurora is survived by her devoted daughter Anastasia Alvarado, and son Dominic Alvarado; sisters, Consuelo Gabriel, Maria Elena Castellanos, Irene Castellanos and sister-in-law Karla Castellanos; brothers Ricardo Castellanos and David Castellanos; nieces Renee Castellanos, Elisa Katemba, Camila Castellanos, Lucha Castellanos-Smith, Jasmine Castellanos, Julianna Castellanos and Mariah Castellanos; nephews Gregory Rosinski, Matthew Paul Rosinksi, Vince Scott Castellanos, Josh Carroll and Juan Carlos Castellanos-Smith. She is also survived by her grandnieces: Aitana (26), Olivia (18), Arissa (17), Ashleigh (15), Caitlyn (13) and Chloe (12); and grandnephews: Trevor (19) and Cole (15).
Aurora was predeceased by her brothers Vicente Castellanos, Carlos Castellanos and Victor Luis Castellanos
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Please visit http://foreveraurora.com for details.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy can do so online by visiting http://foreveraurora.com.
Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid Michigan (1-989-892-1772)