Barbara Lee Castro

1940 - 2017

Barbara Lee Castro
1940-2017
Barbara Castro passed away on December 25, 2017 at the age of 77 in Boise, ID. She was born on October 2nd, 1940 in Wickenburg, AZ to Margaret Martina Prichard and to her loving father George Washington Mims. Barbara was the eldest of 5 children and played a big role in caring for her siblings. She was raised in Wickenburg, where she met her first husband Arthur Castro, whom was also a Wickenburg native. They got married as soon as she turned 18 and had two sons, George and Richard. In 1963, the Castro family moved to San Diego, CA. In 1969, Barbara gave birth to their daughter, Cristina. Barbara always had a passion for food and cooking and specialize in Mexican cuisine. She was best known for her tamales. Friends and family can all attest to her amazing culinary skills. She was very artistic, enjoyed painting, sewing and crocheting to name a few. Barbara made her own recipe books, painted wood work, and crocheted items and sold them at art fairs in California and Arizona. Barbara had a beautiful singing voice, played the piano and the guitar. After retirement, Barbara and Art moved to Chino Valley, AZ. Unfortunately, after 37 years of marriage, Arthur passed away in 1995. She then moved to Congress, AZ where she spent her days volunteering at The American Legion. Barbara met lifelong friends and found love again with Alan Wheeler. They married in 2000 and Alan passed away in 2004. Barbara continued to live in Congress for 5 years. She moved to Boise, ID in November of 2009 to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She found purpose and meaning caring for her great granddaughter, Sofia. Barbara was a loving mother, wonderful grandmother and THE best great grandmother "Grammy," imaginable. She was blessed with 5 great granddaughters and she cherished every moment spent with them. She was greatly admired for her strength, loving soul and talents. Barbara was witty and wasn't afraid to speak her mind, qualities that most appreciated. She made people laugh without trying and brought joy to everyone she encountered. She is preceded in death by her father George and brother Tommy. Barbara is missed beyond words and leaves behind her mother Margaret and many loved ones, including children George, Richard and Cristina, daughter-in-law Deandra and son-in-law Bryan. She also leaves behind, siblings, Marilyn, Wayne, Donna, Rosie, Nicky and Sylvia, grandchildren Aaron, Jorel, Steven, Rochelle, Veronica, Seth and Alec, and great grandchildren Sofia, Camila, Quinn, Cooper, Taylor and Riley.