Nina Florenz Cruz Castro

Ms. Castro will always be remembered as a woman of uncompromising faith, kindness, and selfless service. A parishioner of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Renzi was involved in the ACTS ministry and was a regular volunteer for Meals on Wheels, San Antonio Food Bank, and the United Way.

Born November 25, 1968, in Austin, Texas, to Ms. Ileana “Nena” Cruz, Renzi grew up in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines, with her adoptive aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Reynaldo Castro. She was always a tomboy having grown up with their three boys, Reynaldo “Bo” Jr., Ramon “Mon” and Daniel Julio “DJ,” and two girls, Nina Frances “Nina” and Nina “Liesel.”

Ms. Castro graduated high school from Maryknoll College in 1986 and was one of the more popular girls in her all-girls class and across the fields, at the all-boys school, Ateneo. She was a platoon leader in the CAT (Citizen’s Army Training) and took delight in ordering the girls around whenever she could. She was a member of the varsity volleyball team and active in the Antioch Ministry of her parish.

In 1986, Renzi left the Philippines to live in San Antonio, Texas, with her uncle and aunt Dr. and Mrs. Anatolio B. Cruz, Jr., and their children, Raquel “Rocky,” Anatolio “AB” III, Anthony “Ton” (deceased), and Roselle “Pinky” after her high school graduation.

Renzi graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio in 1989 with degrees in political science and psychology. After graduation, she began her career with R.L. Schonhoff Advertising in San Antonio as an account representative. She went on to become a successful media buyer at Anderson Advertising.

In 2000, Ms. Castro embarked on a 20-year marketing career at Wells Fargo Bank starting as an event mascot known as “Buddy Bear.” She was promoted to marketing consultant and later transitioned to the position of a business implementation consultant for the Central and South Texas markets.

In 2015, Renzi earned a graduate degree in retail bank management from Furman University, Greenville, SC.

Renzi had a passion for life and never turned down a challenge or an opportunity to try something new. She loved traveling, tennis, cycling, mud runs, marathons and recently started up pickle ball.

She is survived by a very large family that extends throughout the Philippines and the United States, consisting of moms, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and beloved Godchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Renzi would like donations made to UT Health, Mays Cancer Center and Holy Spirit Catholic Church both in San Antonio, Texas. See "Memorial Contributions" below.

At her request, a private family rosary and memorial mass to celebrate Renzi’s life will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

A gathering to celebrate Renzi’s life will be held at a later date.

A recording of the service can be viewed below: