Rosalie "Rose" Castillo

Rosalie "Rose" Castillo, born on March 27, 1935, in Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona after a brief, heroic battle with cancer. She was the cherished daughter of Mary Barraza and the third youngest sibling of four brothers and three sisters, all of whom she outlived. 

Rosalie was a proud and devoted mother to her three children Rebecca, Jacque and Eddie, aka "Tiger" and a loving grandmother to six grandchildren Michael, Matthew, Eric, Lesley-Anne, Stefanie and Lucas, nine great-grandchildren Savannah, Jordan, Isaac, Zaiden, Sylas, Elias, LeeAnn, Charlie and Autumn, and one great-great-grandchild, Laylanni. In 1952, Rosalie left Texas and headed west to California and married the love of her life, Eddie Elias Castillo, Jr., on January 26. Together, they built a life centered around family and shared endeavors. After raising their children, Rosalie pursued her education by enrolling in business, mathematics and accounting courses at a local Los Angeles area community college. Her studies equipped her to serve as a business administrator and partner in her husband’s medical equipment and supply business. Eddie preceded her in death on February 18, 2013.  They were married for just over sixty-one years.

In 2001, Rosalie retired with her husband Eddie aka "Chicky" to Arizona after many years in southern California to be closer to her beloved daughter Jacque and her family whom she resided with after the death of Eddie.   She enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, gardening, arts and crafts, early morning exercise with her "mall walker group," and spending time with her beloved pets—her late dogs Misty, Brittany and Penny, and her current companion Bella the rescued Chihuahua. 

As a doting and loving grandmother, she was a major influence in raising all of her grandchildren. Rose just loved children, in fact, she enrolled once again in college courses and obtained certification as a nursery school teaching assistant and care giver working part time as such in both California and Arizona just before and during retirement. 

Known for her warmth and zest for life, she embraced what she came to believe as the “other four ‘F’ words”: family, friends, food, and fun. Her home was always a welcoming place filled with love and laughter.  Rosalie’s legacy is one of love, resilience, and dedication to those she held dear. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her. May her spirit continue to inspire those she leaves behind.   She will be dearly missed.

Rest in Peace, Rose.