Catherine B. Castillo

Catherine “Kay “ Bianco Castillo, was born August 15, 1922 in Brooklyn, New York and passed away on April 11, 2014.

Kay is survived by her sons Chris, Bruce, David and Ted; daughters Reina, Lorraine, Ginger and Linda; 24 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, her sister Grace, 3 nephews and 1 niece. Kay’s husband of 60 years, Clem Castillo, predeceased her in 2006, as well as one son, Victor, in 1999.

Kay grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Antonio and Maria Bianco from Sicily, Italy. She studied secretarial skills, Spanish and flamenco dancing before getting a job with the US State Dept. in 1944. She was assigned to the US Embassy in Bogota, Columbia, where she met Clem and married him in 1945.

Both devoted Catholics, they settled in El Paso, Texas, and raised a family of 9 children to be religious and responsible for each other. Kay worked as a secretary at William Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso, with a few maternity leaves over the years. After retirement she continued to be active with the Catholic Daughters of America. Her last few years were spent in an assisted living home in Albuquerque, NM, near her son Ted. Always a social and positive person, she gave the other residents friendship and comfort. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 20, 2014 5:00PM-9:00PM with Rosary at 6:00PM at Martin Funeral Home West. Funeral Mass will be Monday, April 21, 2014 at 10:00AM at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 930 Redd Rd. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com