Rita Martinez Castro

Also, preceding her in death were her siblings Rosario Martinez, Maria del Carmen Martinez, Luciano Martinez, Julian Gustavo Martinez, Nilia Martinez, Julian Eugene Martinez, Nancy Martinez and Raquel Martinez Avila.

She is survived by her husband Efrain Castro, and her children, Ayinde Castro, Osei Castro, Inyang Castro, Ayanna Castro Clark, son-in-law, Kyle Clark, daughters-in-law Lara Meir, Nkenge Hewitt Castro, Ladonna Jones Colon, and Joanna Christine Castro.

She is survived by her grandchildren: Chatoyer Piney Castro, Ayinde Castro Jr, Lena Castro, Ajua Castro, Khari Castro, Anaise Clark and Zahra Clark.

Rita is survived by siblings: Jilma Martinez Ordonez, Aveniza Martinez, Maria Fernanda Ramos, Julian Martinez, Celia Maria Cennett, Ramon Armando Martinez, Dean Martinez, and several beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Rita graduated from Cathedral Catholic School in New York, New York in 1967. Rita and Efrain Castro were married on August 24,1969 and they celebrated 56 years of marriage this year.

In 1976 Rita and her family moved from New York to Plano, Texas. Rita attended nursing school at Texas Woman's University prior to moving overseas to Porto, Portugal in 1982. Rita was a dedicated homemaker and volunteered regularly at her children’s school events, extracurricular activities, and with the Catholic church and other organizations while living in Portugal, Italy, Singapore, China, India, and in her later years, in Honduras and Plano.

After her daughter finished high school, Rita returned to college as a non-traditional student and graduated in three years with a Bachelor of Art in Sociology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2003. She was a passionate advocate for education and promoted this cause with family and friends. Rita was fiercely loyal, dynamic, flexible, and lived life with no regrets. Rita aimed to live her life empathetically and always looked for the silver lining amid the clouds. Per Rita's last wishes, she will be laid to rest back home in La Ceiba, Honduras.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Rita’s honor to Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Central Texas (https://ssvdp.org/donate) or Sickle Cell Association of Texas (https://www.sicklecelltx.org/).