The gates of heaven opened wide as the saints of old joined the angelic hosts on May 23rd, 2015 to welcome our beloved Bertha Castillo into the heavenly kingdom of God. An Arizona Pioneer Native, Bertha was born in Florence, Arizona on August 14, 1914 to Florencio and Pauline Cruz. Orphaned at the age of 12, Bertha, with limited resources, learned the tactful art of resourcefulness. Using faith, perseverance, and a solid work ethic, Bertha survived the death of parents, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, and the sudden death of her brother Alexander in 1956. With her two beloved sisters, Margaret and Mary by her side the three Cruz women overcame overwhelming obstacles to make an impactful mark on this world. Dancing her way through the Big Band Era, marrying her handsome, devoted husband, Carlos Castillo, as well as having her one and only child; Rita Marie, marked the colorful highlights of her life. Bertha served as a waitress here in the valley till she was 80 years old. But retirement was not about to slow Bertha down. She then began her new adventures of traveling the world. She visited Chattanooga, Tennessee, Orlando, Florida, Lake Tahoe, San Diego, San Francisco, Texas, Japan, China, and Venezuela. The strong, faithful Catholic woman that Bertha was, left this world the day after the feast day of St. Rita, patron saint of impossible causes, and on the eve of the Feast of Pentecost; the powerful coming of the Holy Spirit. Those two days summed up Bertha’s life: believing for God to do the impossible, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit. Bertha is preceded in death and now reunited in heaven with those she deeply loved and missed: Florencio and Pauline Cruz, Margaret McGan, Mary Aros, Alexander and Manuel Cruz and her beloved husband of 56 years; Carlos Castillo. She has left behind a loving family who wish to honor her life by living in the strength she imparted to them: Daughter Rita Marie, son-in-law David Hudgens, and grandchildren: Jordan (spouse Tiffany), Heather, Tressa, Rock and Allison as well as a beautiful great granddaughter: Kristine. Despite only having one child, Bertha deeply loved and cherished her 17 nephews and nieces and considered them her own. Bertha will be remembered as a faithful spiritual warrior who embodied the qualities of strength, courage and determination. She fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith and has now received the crown of righteousness. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 PM with a Scripture Service at 7:00 PM, Monday, June 1st, 2015 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ.
Debi Roeckelein (Mullins)
My most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Bertha. Although I only met her a few times, she was always graceful, full of smiles, kind words and beauty; always a lady. I’m sure she will be missed tremendously by her family. God bless her and welcome her into her heavenly home.
Kathy Spade
Please accept our sincere sympathy at the loss of Bertha. She was a wonderful, gentle, gracious, classy lady. It was a pleasure to have known her. Love and prayers to all of you.
Robert Bickford
After reading about this life, all I could think to myself was, what an amazing adventure. It sounds like she did all the things every human being dreams of doing. This is the most fulfilled life I have read about in years. And what a wonderful woman. In her lifetime, she showed the greatest examples of love and humanity for everything, one, could possibly accomplish or achieve. Sounds like she made a difference in every life she crossed paths with. Today, my prayers and thoughts go out to, Bertha Castillo, who is living a glorious life in Heaven. To, The Castillo, Cruz and Hudgens families. What a Wonderful Life. Heaven Has Received a Beautiful Soul, a Beautiful Woman. . . In Gods Name. Amen.
Tony Amodeo
What a Wonderful Woman. Our condolences to the family. Our love and prayers are with you all. Tony & Jacki Amodeo
MaryAnn Suan
Heartfelt condolences to you. I will always love and treasure my Tia Bertha. So many visits she made to California with my Tia Mary. Love them so much. She is received in heaven with all the love of family who preceded her. She was a grand lady. I’ll never forget her. Peace and love to you all my Arizona family. Hugs and tears.
Danny Redondo
My deepest condolences to your family RITA I had the pleasure of meeting your mom when were in high school at St Mary’s! She was very warm and kind! RIP Bertha Castillo! God Bless you all! Sincerely Danny Redondo!
Joanne Tillson
My sincere condolences to Rita and her family.
Aunt Bertha was always so nice to me and my children, Tony and Anitra Duran.
I loved when she and her friend, Roberta, would come into the Tee Pee to have lunch.
We all loved seeing them.
Love and prayers to all.
Jake
Rest in peace Aunt Bertha. Sorry we never really got to meet that often after I moved to California. I love you.
Manuel and Christine Cruz
Rita and Family,
We were deeply saddened by the new of Tia Bertha’s passing. Tia had lots of love to everyone she met. Please accept our condolence.
Love you Manuel and Christine Cruz, Sacramento CA
Mike Stone
Dear Rita Marie,
I am blessed to have known you Mother all my life. Your family and my family knew each other before you and I were born. Oh ! The celebration taking place in Heaven now! It seemed to me the older your Mother was the more devine she became! Thank you for sharing her with until the end! Greatfully, Mike Stone
Mike Stone
Dear Rita Marie,
It was a prevledge to know your mother. It seems to me that the older she grew the more devine she became!
Thank you for sharing her with us during these last several months.
God bless you and your wonderful family.
Mike Stone and family