Catalina E. Aguilar

As family members and friends can certainly attest, Catalina Aguilar truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times. Nothing brought Catalina greater joy than surrounding herself with her loved ones. Her legacy is one of kindness and resilience, and she faced all challenges that came her way with a spirit of fierce determination. Deeply missed, Catalina will be forever loved by those who knew her best.

The late 1930s were a tumultuous time for the United States and the rest of the world. Much of the country was still reeling from the Great Depression. With WWII looming on the horizon, tensions were quickly reaching a boiling point. It was during this time that Francisco Villanueva and Marynickles Gomez were awaiting the arrival of their fourth child. On November 25, 1937, Catalina Ellena made her entrance into the world in Muskegon, Michigan.

Growing up, Catalina was a typical young girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised as one of 17 children. Throughout her childhood, Catalina developed a very close bond with her father. She attended local Muskegon Schools and enjoyed writing, learning to be very articulate. After graduating from Muskegon High School, Catalina went on to pursue further education at Baker College, where she studied bookkeeping and accounting.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Catalina as she met the young man who would soon become the love of her life. His name was Ted Aguilar, and the two first met while working on a farm. He had come all the way from Texas to find work on Michigan farms. There was an instant spark between them, and after only three weeks, the two knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Catalina and Ted were married at the justice of the peace on October 5, 1957. They later had a church wedding as well. Shortly after becoming husband and wife, Ted was diagnosed with Tuberculosis and had to be hospitalized for nearly a year before recovering. Catalina and Ted then spent several years traveling back and forth from Texas to West Michigan working in the fields of local farmers. In 1966, they settled down in their longtime home on Straight St. NW.

Of all the things Catalina loved in life, she cherished her family above all else. She was overjoyed to become a mother to Christina, Theodore, Vicente, Edmund, Veronica, Brandon, and Matt. Catalina thrived in her role as a mother, and she strove to create a welcoming environment for her children. She could be strict, but she always made sure to say “I love you” every single day. The Aguilar family enjoyed taking a vacation or two every year. They visited the Upper Peninsula, Texas, and Yellowstone National Park, and sometimes, they would just pack up and set out on an adventure. Later in life, Catalina was thrilled to become a grandmother as well. She always considered herself blessed to watch her family grow to include so many loved ones.

Never one to sit still for long, Catalina pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She was quite artistic and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, painting, coloring, and ceramics. Catalina liked listening to all genres of music, including Christian, country, and rock, and she watched The Incredible Dr. Pol, Animal Planet, and Wheel of Fortune. She had a deep love for animals and would often feed the squirrels. Both Catalina and Ted were handy and would help keep up their house. Since he didn’t like heights, she would take care of painting the peaks of the house. Catalina was known for her sweet tooth, and she had a large candy dish at the ready all year round. She would go to McDonald’s for a Happy Meal every day, and she would give the prize away to her grandchildren. Catalina held on to everything she deemed special, and over the years, she built a beloved collection of memories.

Catalina helped support her family by working in the warehouse at Meijer for over 20 years. She raised her children as members of the St. James Catholic Church. Catalina took her family heritage very seriously, and as part Sephardic Jew, she was very curious about that history. At night, she would go to a local synagogue to learn more about Judaism. Catalina also loved celebrating all holidays, especially Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. On her most recent birthday, families and friends came by to visit and put up a Christmas tree on her front porch. Catalina treasured this time with her loved ones more than anything.

When reflecting on the life of Catalina Aguilar, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Catalina was a friend to many and beloved by all. Her caring heart allowed her to impact the lives of many of those around her, and she was a shining example of generosity and compassion. Though she will be dearly missed, Catalina leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

She was loved and cherished by many people including: her children, proceeding in death Christina, and Virginia Aguilar, she is survived by living children and their spouses. Theodore TJ, wife Sylvia, Vicente (Vinnie) wife Lori, Edmund late Virginia, Veronica Unger husband Richard, Brandon wife Lynnetta, and Matthew wife Amelia, 78 grandchildren and great grandchildren. numerous other family members.