Some lives are so rich in history and heart that they seem to hold an entire century’s worth of stories within them. Today, we celebrate one of those extraordinary lives — Angelina Castorena Arce, who turns 108 years old on November 3rd, 2025.
Born in Johnson, Arizona in 1917, Angelina is the eldest of ten children of Ramón Castorena and Isabel Martínez de Castorena, originally from Aguascalientes and San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Her life began amid change and resilience — less than a year after her birth, the 1918 pandemic prompted her family to return to Mexico. By 1920, they had settled in Tijuana, where her father opened a barbershop and became one of the city’s most active civic contributors.
Ramón Castorena helped found the Sociedad Mutualista de Zaragoza and even opened Tijuana’s first cinema, screening silent films that young Angelina and her siblings never grew tired of watching. That same year, Angelina attended Escuela Martínez, the city’s first elementary school — a small but meaningful step in what would become a long and inspiring journey.
In 1938, Angelina married José María Arce (“Pepe”), and together they welcomed a daughter, Leticia Norma. Years later, in 1956, Angelina and her daughter moved to San Diego, where she worked and built a new life until her retirement in 1972. True to her loving nature, she then returned to Tijuana to care for her beloved mother, Chabelita.
It was during these years that Angelina deepened her lifelong faith. Encouraged by Reverend Father Arturo de la Torre, she pursued religious studies and became the first woman appointed as a Eucharistic Minister in Tijuana — a pioneering moment in the city’s religious history. Her commitment to service and community shone brightly as she catechized hundreds of adults preparing to receive the sacraments.
In 2010, Angelina returned to the U.S. to live in Bonita, California, alongside her daughter Norma. For several years, she continued to attend mass every Thursday at Corpus Christi Church, where she found joy in prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Today, at 108 years young, Angelina is the heart of her family — cherished by her daughter, her grandsons Jaime and Ricardo, and a large extended family who hold her as their matriarch, guide, and inspiration. Her life is a living bridge between cultures, embodying the beauty of being proudly Mexican and binational.
Through her example, Angelina has encouraged generations of families to embrace their heritage, speak their language, and live their values with gratitude and grace. Her century of memories, love, and faith continues to be a gift that nourishes everyone around her.
Happy 108th birthday, Angelina Castorena Arce — a woman whose spirit remains timeless.