Caridad Carino Layus, 94, was called to Heaven while sleeping on November 10, 2015 after a long battle with Alzheimer's Dementia. She was born on April 20, 1921 in Bontoc, Mountain Province, the Philippines.

Known as "Carrie" by her many friends or by the endearing name of "Caring" (accent on the second syllable), by her many Filipino friends and relatives, she was a devoted Christian that served her Lord through her Church and the many community organizations that she helped to lead.

Caridad attended college in the Philippines and became a school teacher before marrying Agustin V. Layus on August 24, 1941 in Manila. Agustin was a member of the Philippine Scouts that transitioned into the U.S. Army and after being stationed in Japan, Washington, California, and Georgia, the growing family arrived at Ft. Ord in 1959 and settled in Castroville.

The family began attending the Filipino Presbyterian Church in Salinas where Caridad would serve as a Sunday School teacher and a leader of the Church which later, would be renamed St. Philipp's Presbyterian Church.

Her growing penchant for serving made her the leading pioneer in organizing the Castroville Filipino Community in the early 1960's and their numerous fund-raising events eventually allowed the organization to donate a brand-new fire truck to the Castroville Fire Department. She also began to serve in the Filipino Community of the Salinas Valley, based in Salinas, and was a leading force in establishing scholarships for Filipino-American students going to college. She also served this organization as an elected officer nearly every year that she was a member. This group awarded her a Life Membership.

She began joining other service organizations and helped to create new chapters of existing national organizations, always taking on a leadership role. She did this while raising a family and working full-time as a Civil Service Payroll Clerk for the U.S. Army at Ft. Ord from 1963 until she retired in 1983 to become a full-time volunteer for numerous organizations.

Among the other organizations that she helped to lead... Filipino-American Civic League of Salinas, Barangay Lioness Club, Salinas Diwata Lions Club, Modern Woodmen of America – Camp 9835, National Filipino-American Council – Monterey County Chapter, First and Second Filipino Combat Infantry Regiments Association, Philippine Scouts and U.S. Veterans Association of America – Life Member and Lions Eye Foundation of California-Nevada – Life Member.

Caridad is survived by her daughter, Evelyn C. Layus of Salinas, her sons, Clayton A. (Vicitacion) Layus, D.D.S. of Morgan Hill, Donald R. Layus, D.D.S. of San Diego, Arthur (Susan) Layus of Royal Oaks, and David F. Layus, D.D.S. of Salinas.
Grandchildren: Roman, Leia, Marius, Dan, Alie, Beau, Brandon, Andrew, Marc, Lisa, Lilly, Elliott and Leeanna Layus, Karl Hutson and Megan Larkin.

Great-Grandchildren: Elloise, Townsend, Mary, Beau (Jr.), Lauryn, Meilynn, Pacifica and Emmett Layus, Mileena, Mariah and Nigel McKelvey and Gavin Hutson.