Alicia Rose Castro

Alicia was born to Sue Guajardo Castro and Ramon Hipolito Castro in Austin. What a happy childhood she had making mud pies with her sister, Patsy, riding her tricycle with the neighborhood kids on a dirt "racetrack", and running from the scary horned toads which abounded in the backyard. Also, watching cartoons on TV and especially THE UNCLE JAY SHOW were fun times. Summers were spent going to Ramsey pool, where at a very early age, she was taught to swim by her dad. She enjoyed playing with our cousins at birthday and backyard parties, going to Zilker Park and riding the magical carousel and merry-go-round on the corner of Barton Springs and South Lamar.

Alicia began 1st grade at St. Louis Catholic School in 1957 and continued there until after the 3rd grade when she went to Rosedale Elementary, then to Lamar Jr. High, and finally to Mccallum High School. Her love of music took hold at Rosedale Elementary and she sang in the all the school choirs. Always with a book in her hand, she probably read every book in all the school libraries. She loved crossword puzzles and would finish them quickly- AND always in ink!

She graduated from UT in Austin with a degree in journalism. As an avid Longhorn fan, attendance at home games was a must and trips to the Cottonbowl and even to Aggieland were good times. Always interested in the weather, she took a course or two in meteorology and you could call her anytime when in doubt as to what to wear the next day. After graduation, Alicia was hired to work for the Legislative Council to proofread bills going before the Legislature. Then she worked at the Texas Department of Human Services where she retired after 30 years of service.

Her love of St. Louis Catholic Church and her strong faith led her to teaching Sunday School for many years and to being a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) leader along with other dedicated parishioners. A great honor was being a member of the Texas 500 Voice Choir for Pope John Paul ll's Mass in San Antonio in September 1978. She was also a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM), Austin Chapter, the Diocesan Choir, and the Liturgical Commission in the 1990s up until 2010. She was a Eucharistic Minister, a cantor, and joined volunteers to take Communion to the sick at Seton Hospital. At St. Louis, she participated in the Folk Choir and for over 50 years, she sang in the St. Louis Choir. So many life-long friends were made from all these associations and she cherished them all.

She will be sorely missed by her sister, Patsy Alvarez, her brother-in-law, Paul (Apolinar) Alvarez, and her nephew and Godson, Paul Ramon Alvarez. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Sue and Ramon Castro. A special thanks to Shenandoah Villa Assisted Living in Cedar Park and their staff who lovingly cared for Alicia in her final day.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78757.