Obituary of Lydia Workman

Lydia C. Workman, 89, passed away peacefully at the Westland House on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, with her sons and friends by her side, after a brief illness. Born in Manila, Philippines to Jose Castillo and Beatriz Mendoza, of Rosales, Pangasinan, Lydia was preceded in death by all 11 of her siblings, 10 sisters and one brother.Lydia's career as an educator and mother began with her graduation from St. Scholastica's College, in Manila, where she was valedictorian of both her high school and college graduating classes. In 1950 she earned her Master's degree in English Literature at Dominican College in San Rafael, and went on to study writing at the Bread Loaf School of English in Vermont, as well as the University of London.Lydia then served on the faculty of Assumption College and Ateneo University in Manila as a professor of English.In 1957 Lydia married US Navy Lt. Charles E. Workman of Corpus Christi, TX. The two eventually came to Monterey in 1962 and raised their three sons here.With her children grown, Lydia returned to her calling as an educator, serving as an English or Spanish teacher in stints at Robert Louis Stevenson School, Santa Catalina School, and York School. The Study Skills curriculum she developed at Santa Catalina is still in use there today. Lydia's life was marked by three great passions: the friends she made across the globe, the children she raised, and the Catholic Church she remained intensely devout to her entire life. She also reveled in travel, the arts, and food and wine, a love she shared with whomever she came in contact. Lydia is survived by her three sons: Stephen of Portland, OR, and his wife Mary and their three children, Christopher, Mairea, and Joseph Workman; William of Madison, WI; and Joe of Danville, KY. Lydia requested no memorial services. Her ashes will be interred in Manila with those of her sisters, Beatriz Laurel (and husband Jose S. Laurel, III) and Yvonne Castillo. Memorial contributions can be made to the scholarship fund her son Joe has set up to honor Lydia and her sister, Yvonne: The L.C. Workman and Y.M. Castillo Study Abroad Fund, Centre College, 600 W. Walnut St, Danville, KY 40422. You may contact the family at joe.workman@centre.edu Service Information