Obituary of Virginia H. Castro

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:25-31 They say that behind every great man stands an even greater woman. Virginia Castro was the devoted wife of Rudy, loving mother of nine children, and caring aunt to her nieces and nephews. At one point during her marriage, a car accident shattered her husband's legs and doctors predicted he would never walk unaided again. During his hospital stay, Virginia rose daily before dawn, getting ready, and cooking breakfast before waking the children, dressing, feeding them, and getting the older children off to school.Then, hot breakfast packed, she would take the rest of the little ones on a bus to the hospital to visit her husband and bring him a home-cooked meal. She would then return home to start the cycle over again for lunch, then dinner. She did this everyday during her husband's recuperation. Once Rudy returned home, Virginia helped her husband regain use of his legs. Each morning, Virginia helped Rudy from bed, supported his body and walked him down the hallway to the family's bathtub, where Rudy painfully pushed his legs through the water, praying for a miracle. With grit and God's help, Virginia helped Rudy walk on his own and return to work. Always at her husband's side, she nursed him through his final struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Her strong faith, her ability to look at the brighter side of life, and a stoic character helped her overcome any struggle. No matter what, Virginia took pride in her appearance and was known for her beautifully-applied makeup and well-done hair. Virginia Herrera Castro, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at home in Tucson, AZ. Virginia was born in Douglas, AZ, July 18, 1922, to Sabino Maldonado and Andrea Herrera. She spent most of her life in Tucson, was a lifelong member of Santa Cruz Catholic Church, and maintained close friendships in her South Tucson community. Survived by daughters, Grace (Bill) Torsch, Patricia Sandoval; sons, Art (Grace), Richard, Ralph, Norman (Lupita) and James; 27 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, son-in-law, Richard Nuñez, and nephews Billy and Corky Mendoza. Preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Rudy 'Fito' Castro, her mother Andrea Herrera, sisters Stella and Emma, son, Rudy, and daughter, Lillian. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Aggarwal, Dr. Ochoa, and Dr. Soltana, the medical staff at El Rio Clinic, the nurses at St. Mary's Hospital and the nurses at Gentiva Hospice for the care that was given Mrs. Castro. Her family also thanks her hairstylists, Ember, Vicki and Margie, for making her feel beautiful and special. Visitation will be Thursday, May 1, 2014, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, with Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Bring's Memorial Chapel, 236 S. Scott Ave., Tucson. Mass will be offered Friday, May 2, 2014, 11:00 a.m., at Santa Cruz Catholic Church, 1220 S. 6th Ave., Tucson. Interment to follow at Holy Hope Cemetery, Tucson. "All my prayers are for you and to be protected by Jesus Christ and my Virgen de Guadalupe. Never think of bad things, always be positive in your life. Always think positive. All the family thinks I'm very strong. That is not so. I do not like to show my weak side or when my feelings are hurt so as not to worry anyone. I want all my family to be happy. Then I am happy, too." ~Virginia Castro in a letter dated Sept. 2000 to her grandson, Phillip.