Julita Castillo-Olimpo

Durham, N.C. Dr. Julita Castillo Olimpo, age 93, was called to Heaven on March 14th. She was born in Alitagtag, Batangas, Philippines on June 16, 1928 to the late Pedro Delgado Castillo and Rufina Solis Castillo.

Julita graduated in 1954 at the prestigious University of Santo Tomas in Manila. After graduating her Father made her open and run a free medical clinic in Batangas for one year. She then continued practicing internal medicine and obstetrics, delivering hundreds of babies and servicing her community until her move to the states with her husband in 1969 to do her residency in Child/Adolescent Psychiatry at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn. At this same time of moving far from home, going back to school and starting a new job, at the age of 41, found out that she was pregnant with her Son, Joseph. After graduating she found a position practicing Psychiatry at John Umstead in Butner, N.C. She also practiced at Wilson Medical Center and at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, N.C. and was the Director of Child Psychiatry at Halifax Memorial Hospital in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. Julita was a devout Catholic. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Saint Matthews of Durham, N.C. She traveled the world and loved to explore. She was always reading. She also loved to shop and had an eye for fine art. Julita really enjoyed treating her family and friends to dinner. She did ballroom dancing with Fred Estaire Dance Studio for 20 years. She was a member of the Philippine American Association of North Carolina. She retired at the age of 84. She was a passionate doctor and committed to her patients, loved helping others and being apart of her Filipino family. She adored her Son, grandsons and was devoted to her great granddaughter Lyla who was the light of her life. Her and her Sisters were very close to one another and she loved them dearly. Julita lived, danced, loved life to the fullest and we know she will continue her dancing in Heaven. Break a leg Lola!

Julita is survived by her Son, Joseph and his wife, Rena’ of Durham. Sisters, Corina Castillo, Gloria Acob, and Lita Castillo of Durham. Brothers, Miguel, Vincente, and Manuel Castillo of the Philippines. Phyllis Murray, Mother of Rena’ and friend to Julita. Grandson, Michael Olimpo and Emma Robinson of Hurdle Mills. Grandson, Jacob Olimpo of Durham. Great granddaughter Lyla. Beloved Niece, Cecilia Sotelo and family of Chapel Hill. Cherished Goddaughter, Mary-Ann de Leon and family of Apex. Many other nieces and nephews all over the world. Julita was preceded in death by her husband, Miguel Estuya Olimpo. Brother, Meynardo, Sr. and Antonio Castillo of the Philippines.

We want to especially thank Dr. Nenette Sevilla for her care and kindness. The family was assisted by Duke Hospice of Durham. In particular Monica, Amanda, Robbin and Debbie. We wouldn’t have made it through these last 3 weeks without them. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Matthews of Durham, N.C.

The Olimpo family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.