Maria S. Castro

A visitation will be held 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday June 23 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home at 13001 Katy Fwy Houston TX 77079. A celebration of María’s life will be held at the same location 5:00 PM Saturday, June 24. We ask that you not wear black, but rather colors that befit the celebration of a beautiful life.

María was born in 1949 in La Labor, Cárdenas, San Luis Potosí, México, the youngest of 11 children born to Anastacio Ramirez and María Catalina Lopez. She was intelligent, hardworking, adventurous, restless, and ambitious. She yearned to see the world beyond her small town and believed that an education was her key to success and to fulfilling her dreams. When it became clear to her that her dreams of education were not to be accomplished, she vowed that she would do “whatever it takes so that my children can someday be anything that they want to be”.

At the age of 22, María left her two young daughters with her parents and immigrated to the United States. After living briefly in Brownsville, she moved to Houston. María was a gifted cook and loved to feed family, friends, and neighbors. She began to make Queso Fresco in her apartment kitchen to serve with her wonderful meals. Soon, she was selling it door-to-door, then in the local carnicerías and supermercados that were springing up to cater to the rapidly growing Hispanic immigrant population.

She gave her cheese the name “La Vaquita”. Over the next 40 years, María grew her business from that one gallon of milk to millions of pounds of milk every year, catapulting her business to the second largest of its kind in the country. She employed hundreds of people, leading by example and inspiring them with her passion.

María worked tirelessly to help her extended family, selflessly giving her time and resources. She provided scholarships for college-bound Hispanic students and rejoiced in their accomplishments. A naturalized American and ardent patriot, she had a deep love for the United States, “la tierra de leche y miel”, the land where she found the freedom to be anything she wanted to be. She volunteered for Republican campaigns and gave generously to veterans’ organizations. Later in life she became a successful investor. She loved real estate and could pick stocks like no one else!

More than anything, she was our dearest Mamá. Never has anyone loved anyone like María loved her 3 daughters. “Her children rise up and call her blessed.”

She was a devout Christian who relied on her deep faith to face the challenges in her life. She embodied humility, compassion, kindness, and love. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will miss her dearly. We know that her faith has now become sight. And we know that though for now we grieve her loss, we shall see her again in that great day when death has been swallowed up in victory.

María will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Elizabeth Gray and husband Jeff, Debora Barnola and husband Mark, and Brenda Castro; grandchildren Raquel Castro, Dinora Ybarra Young and husband Clint, Sophia Castro Gonzalez and husband Cesar, Christopher Gray, Marya Gray and husband Dylan Jackson, Isaac Ybarra, Eric Gray, Alex Gray, and Eliana Castro; and great-grandchildren Winston Smith, Eli Young, Lincoln Young, Anastasia Young, and baby Young #4; and by many other family, friends, and lovers of La Vaquita.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Castro family.