Hitelia Castellanos

Hitelia Castellanos (nee Rojas) passed away on November 10, 2019 after a year long battle with brain cancer at the age of 68. She was predeceased by her parents Francisco and Adolfina Rojas, and brother Francisco Rojas. She is survived by her beloved husband Hernan and her two devoted daughters Amanda (Shawn) and her grandsons Shawn Jr, Connor, and Kayden along with nieces and nephews. Hitelia was a proud alumni of the Venezuelan National Institute of Pediatric Psychology (’72), Texas A&M (’82), and ECU (’96). She retired as a chemist for the Government Publishing Office. She was a life long student and loved to read about health, wellbeing, and philosophy. She loved hiking and especially riding her bicycle with her husband on long bike rides throughout Washington DC and her favorite spots along the C&O Canal. She took up practicing Buddhism after her cancer diagnosis at the Kadampa Meditation Center and the Sibley Memorial Hospital Seniors Meditation Group which provided her relief and friendship. Hitelia will be missed by her family, friends and colleagues. She will leave a huge hole in the lives of all she touched and who enjoyed her enthusiasm for learning. Memorial services and interment will be private and reserved for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, Hitelia’s family asks for donations in her name to the C&O Canal Trust or the American Brain Tumor Association https://give.abta.org/fundraiser/2498501.