Aurora G. Castro

Aurora Gonzalez Castro, 100, a cherished matriarch and loving mother, went to be with our Lord on May 10, 2026, in Fredericksburg, Texas. She was born on August 31, 1925, in San Antonio, Texas, to Jose Federico Gonzalez and Enedina Noriega. Throughout her remarkable century of life, Aurora touched the lives of everyone around her with her strength, faith, humility, resilience, wisdom, and deep love for her family.

She was married to SSgt. Caesar C. Castro, USAF, for 22 years, and later to Tec 5 Alfred Castro, U.S. Army, for 34 years. Aurora was the heart of her family, leaving a legacy of love through her children: Caesar (†), Mark (†), Jacqueline (Julian), and Alfred (Eileen Margaret); her stepdaughter, Aida Gonzales (†); her grandchildren: Jason (Tasha), Julia (Eriq), Chris (Dominique), Andrew (Monica), Adam, Jayda, and Theodore; and her great-grandchildren: Kayleigh, Jocelyn, Aiden, Felicity, Jordyn, Harper, Levi, and Oliver.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, her sons Caesar Charles Castro and Mark Anthony Castro, her sister Josephine Orta and brother-in-law Jesse Orta, her stepdaughter Aida Gonzales, her niece Geraldine Orta Charles, and her granddaughter’s husband, Sebastian Rivera.

Aurora shared her husband’s love for music. Both were accomplished military musicians, and Aurora played clarinet in her high school band at San Antonio Vocational and Technical High School. Her passion for music and faith continued throughout her life, especially during her 35 years as a member, director, and co-director of Mariachi y Coro de Colores. She also played the mandolin. She was deeply grateful for the opportunity to help preserve the legacy of her sister, brother-in-law, and niece through this historic and faith-filled musical ensemble.

Aurora proudly served as a civil servant for the United States government for 39 years, with assignments at Kelly AFB and Lackland AFB in San Antonio; Wheelus AFB in Tripoli, Libya; Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. She was respected and admired for her skill and professionalism as a secretary, typist, and stenographer to high-ranking military officers.

Aurora was president of the PTA at St. Patrick’s Catholic School in the 1970s. She was also a devoted lifelong member of the Guadalupanas at St. Patrick’s Church and Mission San José.

In May 1934, American folklorist John Lomax visited San Antonio to document folk music from diverse communities. Among the voices he recorded were Aurora, then a young girl of eight, her sister Josephine Orta, and three friends singing traditional Spanish songs. These precious recordings are now preserved in the Library of Congress American Folklife Center, safeguarding a small but meaningful piece of Aurora’s youth in American history.

Our beloved mother will be remembered for living with faith, hope, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her family and community. Her legacy lives on in everyone who knew and loved her. May she rest in eternal peace, and may her memory be a lasting blessing.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate medical professionals: Dr. Michelle Scanlan and staff of Pasteur Medical Associates; Methodist Healthcare Hill Country Hospice and Ave Maria Hospice; caregivers from Fredericksburg Home Care; and her personal caregivers, Deborah Galvez and Argelia Sagebiel.

Please join us in celebrating her life on Monday, June 1, 2026 with a visitation from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by the Rosary at 7:00 pm at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212.

A Procession will depart from Porter Loring Mortuary, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 9:30 am, with Mass to follow at Mission San Jose, 6701 San Jose Drive, San Antonio, TX 78214, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209, at 11:30 am.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions in her memory to Mission San Jose.