Our beautiful mother, Lydia Lee, 78, passed away Thursday morning, July 8, 2021, with her family by her side. She was born October 27, 1942 in Yuma, Arizona. Lydia graduated from Yuma High School, class of 1960. After graduation she worked at various jobs around Yuma. She loved to hang out with her friends after work and one night she went with them to see a young handsome local boy who made it big in the record business and was performing at Red’s. Needless to say, when Curtis Lee met Lydia Castro they were inseparable and she ended up marrying the love of her life.
Curtis and Lydia started a family with the birth of their daughter, Tina, followed by Stephanie, Brandon, and Darren.
Lydia was always involved with her kids’ and grandkids’ activities cheering them on, including Choralair Concerts, Yuma County Fair, and numerous sports events.
Affectionately referred to as “Gom” by all the grandkids, Christmas was an important time for Gom because she always wanted to make sure everyone felt special and left with a full belly of tamales, tacos, red chile – the works. Family vacations were the highlights whether it was at the beach in San Diego, summer trips to Catalina Island or camping in the mountains, and especially family Disneyland trips.
Lydia is survived by her brother and sister, Ish Castro and Carol Brazeel of Yuma; sister-in-law, Betty (Dale) Snell of Yuma; daughters, Tina Lee (Andy) Ricker and Stephanie (Dustin) Drumm, of Yuma; sons, Brandon Lee (Jennifer Undine) and Darren (Jessica) Lee , of Yuma; grandchildren, Brittani Lee (Ronnie) Rojas, Debanee (Kyle) Hardin, Robert (Ashley) Gonzales, Desiree Lee Howell, Morgan Bryce Howell, Curtis E. Lee; great grandchildren, Meadow Hope Harrison, Faith Chanel Hardin, Stella Rose Hardin, Ava Lee Gonzales, Memphis Curtis O'Neil Hardin, and Emma Claire Gonzales; step-grandchildren, Austin Drumm, Kyle Harvick, Rusty Shy, Kyndra Leake, Jayna Ricker, Curtis Ricker, Savanah and Sarah Rojas; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Lydia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Curtis E. Lee, father and mother, Ismael and Esperanza (Hope) Castro; sister, Delia Castro, Brothers, David and Raynard Castro; Son-in-law, Jason Howell; and niece, Stacy Nunez.
We would like to express a special thank you to the wonderful caregivers that took care of her at the end of her life, especially Martha Bardan and Joy Pharmes.
Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Johnson’s Mortuary, with Pastor Stephen Bloomfield officiating. Final resting place will be at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.
