Vanda de Fatima Castilho

Vanda de Fatima Castilho

With deep sorrow and profound love, the family of Vanda de Fatima Castilho announces her passing on May 2, 2026, at the age of 65, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Vanda was born on November 7, 1960, in Lagamar, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to Maria das Dores and Antonio da Costa Souto. She was a woman of deep faith, strength, kindness, and resilience. Her love for God, her devotion to her family, and her generous heart were present in everything she did.
Vanda was married to her beloved husband, Jair Castilho, since June 1976. Together, they built a life marked by love, family, perseverance, and faith.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Maria das Dores and Antonio da Costa Souto, and by her beloved daughter, Fabiane Castilho.
Vanda is lovingly remembered by her husband, Jair Castilho; her daughters, Cristiane Pope and Juciane Silva; and her grandchildren, Vinícius, Gabriel, Fernando, Mariana, Kayo, Thaynara, and Rebecca Castilho Pope. She will also be deeply missed by relatives, friends, and the Brazilian community in Georgia and Brazil.
Vanda’s faith was an important part of her life. She attended the Seventh-day Adventist Church and carried with her the blessed hope of eternal life in Christ.
In 2023, Vanda’s cancer journey began after a free mammogram during the Brazilian Health Fair, a community health initiative serving Brazilian families in Georgia. From that moment on, she became not only a patient facing treatment with courage, but also a voice of awareness, prevention, and hope for other women.
She became an important part of CABI, Centro de Apoio ao Brasileiro Imigrante, participating in breast cancer awareness campaigns, women’s health initiatives, and Outubro Rosa events. Through her testimony, her courage, and her presence, Vanda encouraged other women to care for their health, seek preventive exams, and face difficult seasons with faith.

A visitation honoring Vanda’s life will be held on Friday, May 15, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Southern Cremations & Funerals, located at 1861 Dallas Highway SW, Marietta, GA 30064.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to CABI’s breast cancer awareness and prevention programs such as Outubro Rosa do CABI, so that Vanda’s legacy of faith, prevention, and community care may continue.