Francisca Castillo

December 3, 1931, to Gregorio and Francisca (nee Ibarra) Guzman.

She passed peacefully on January 9 2025, at the age of 93.

Francisca was preceded in death by her parents, Gregorio Guzman and Francisca (née Ibarra) Guzman; sisters, Palamona (née Guzman) Bermudez, Martina (née Guzman) Wade, Bonnie Guzman, and brothers, Gregorio Guzman, Jr., Ramon Guzman, and Jesus Guzman; and a stillborn sister, and a stillborn grandson, Jesse Bindner.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Juan Mendoza Castillo, of Villa de La Paz, San Luis, Potosi, Mexico, and her daughter, Maria (née Castillo) Bindner and son Juan Castillo, Jr..

She leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Sara Bindner and Gabriel Castillo, her son-in-law, Mark Bindner and her son's significant other, Tracey Sheahan, all of St. Louis, MO.

She is also survived by sisters, Juanita (née Guzman) Franco and her husband Andres Franco; her sister Teresa (née Guzman) Bolf; brothers, Alvaro (Anna) Guzman, Sylvestre (Joyce) Guzman,

Pedro (Lolang) Guzman, and Gumesindo (Ruth) Guzman as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A visitation is scheduled on, Wednesday January 15, 2025 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Hoffmeister South County Chapel located at 1515 Lemay Ferry Road., Lemay, MO 63125. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the same location.

Final resting place will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Francisca and her family traveled, lived, and worked in many different states while she was growing up. She was the second oldest of 15 kids. Early in life worked as an agricultural worker to support her family.

She would walk for many blocks to catch the bus to downtown St. Louis for work without ever complaining. She walked her kids to and from school every day in all types of weather.

Late in life, she decided to get a driver's license and proudly picked the words "Tex-Mex" on the plates because she was proud of her birthplace of Edinburg, Texas as well as her parent’s roots from Mexico.

She retired from Cruden Martin in St. Louis where she enjoyed making kites. The employees were allowed to take home kites. She would give kites to her siblings and nieces and nephews which brought tremendous joy and happiness to the kids. Her older brother, Alvaro, worked in construction building the arch. She would see him working on the arch from the windows by her work area at Crunden Martin. She had fond memories of that experience.

Francisca had a penchant for dressing nice and fashion, having great hair, her nails were always painted, always wore red lipstick and always wore jewelry.

She was a great dancer, enjoyed music, loved to walk, enjoyed shopping and traveling. She and Juan would travel to Mexico annually to visit both sides of the family. She was very active and wherever she went you would see her socializing, smiling, laughing, and having a good time. She enjoyed time with family especially loved being around children.

Francisca loved to share meals and food with others. She was known to make the best fried chicken, fried cauliflower and french fries. Equally as good as her food, was her advice. Always wise, always fair, always erring on the side of compassion. She made sure to instill in her kids that kind people outnumber the unkind.

Francisca was a tremendously giving person and always thought of other people and cared for others. She supported many charitable causes as well as the Church.

Francisca attended Silver Sneakers senior exercise classes at the Carondelet YMCA. She looked forward to going there and socializing. She and her husband, Juan, were regulars at Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Patch Neighborhood Center. She often took courses and earned completion certificates from their programs.

She and Juan were also frequent visitors of retailers in various South County locations as they loved to get out and browse the aisles. They made it to church every Sunday. In her lifetime she attended, St. Mary and Joseph’s where they wed, St. Boniface, St. Cecilia’s and St. Anthony’s.

January 15, 2025 marks Juan and Francisca’s 56 wedding anniversary.

Francisca will be missed. She always had a beautiful smile, warmth for others, giving nature and

she had a great sense of humor!