Irma Elia Castro Carpenter

Irma Elia (Nena) Castro Carpenter died on February 26, 2025, at her cottage in Purcellville, Virginia surrounded by her loving family.
Nena was born on January 5, 1931, in Brady - the Heart of Texas, to Eduardo Flores Castro and Mariana Sanchez. She grew up in a loving home built by her father in the Mexican Colony of Brady with her four sisters and three brothers. The community celebrated their Mexican-American heritage through church activities, fiestas in the plaza and neighborhood gatherings. Her siblings were the first Mexican-American students allowed to attend the local high school. Nena played on the high school basketball team and loved choir. Her childhood home, a little pink casita, is still owned by her family, and is an important stop every two years when the descendants of the Castro familia travel from across the world to gather in Brady for their family reunion.
Upon graduation, Nena moved to San Antonio to live with her sisters Tommie and Licha, attended business college and worked as a stenographer. Nena volunteered at the local USO dances and on one enchanted evening met the love of her life Jack, a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force. They danced the night away and the rest is history. A long distance romance followed, then an engagement, a wedding in 1954 and the beginning of an amazing adventure as an Officer's wife. She was proud of her husband and his military career as they traveled across the nation to bases throughout Texas, Georgia, the Territory of Hawaii, New Jersey, Arizona, California, Virginia and then to New Mexico in 1976, where they eventually retired. No matter where the Air Force took her little family, she made it their home. Nena was active in every aspect of her children's life and was a beacon of hope and optimism, especially when their father was serving in the Vietnam War. She was an unbelievable mom with incredible charisma and kindness that drew strangers to her.
After her husband died in 1989, she returned to her home state of Texas to be closer to her son and daughter's families. She lived in Clute, Dallas, Houston, traveled to Brussels for two years, then to Austin before settling in Sun City-Georgetown, Texas. She lived in Sun City for 15 years and then moved to live with her daughter in Purcellville, Virginia in 2021.
Nena will always be remembered as a unique and enthusiastic individual that was committed to enjoying life. You could often find her in the sunshine watering her garden, taking a long walk, enjoying a cup of coffee on her porch and watching the birds, or devoting time to her faith with her daily rosary. She found time everyday to connect with her loved ones via phone call, text or Facebook. She was gifted in crafting sweet messages and loved using emojis. She had a superb memory and was a captivating storyteller that could transport the listener to a different time. Her life stories and family traditions will carry her memory forward for generations to come.
She was an avid reader and loved listening and dancing to music - especially Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Elvis, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, and Queen. She also enjoyed watching sports, especially her beloved Astros and Cowboys.
She was vivacious and elegant. Her style was impeccable and she always took pride in looking her best with perfectly applied eyeliner and pink lipstick. She aged like a fine wine, appearing decades younger than her age.
There never has been and never will be anyone like her. She will be missed beyond measure.
Nena leaves to cherish her memories, her daughters Lisa Sarita Salinas (Arnold) of Cedar Park, TX and Pilar Maria Carpenter (Terry Shutz) of Purcellville, VA; son Donald Eduardo Carpenter of Austin, TX; grandchildren Jessica Sarita Corey (Tim) of Purcellville, VA; Dominic Arnold Salinas, Alexandra Sarita Salinas (Tony Jones) and Philip Antonio Salinas of Austin, TX; Elizabeth Clare Carpenter of Annapolis, MD; John William Carpenter of Portland, ME; Victoria Pilar Carpenter and Danielle Irma Carpenter of Austin, TX; Donald Ricardo Carpenter; great-granddaughters Meadow Milagro Corey and Luna Inez Jones; extended family and friends.
Preceded in death by her husband Colonel John (Jack) Arnold Carpenter (USAF); son Lt. John (Jack) Rudolph Carpenter (USN); parents Eduardo Flores Castro and Mariana Sanchez Castro; siblings Odilia (Lily) Castro Cervantes; Rodolfo (Rudy) Sanchez Castro; Demetrio Sanchez Castro; Alicia (Licha) Castro DeHoyos; Tomasita (Tommie) Castro Spicer; Eduardo (Lalo) Sanchez Castro; and Avelina (Nina) Castro Guggenbuehl.
Memorial Services are being held on March 31, 2025, at 1:30pm at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas.
To keep her memory blossoming for years to come, Nena's family requests that in lieu of personal flowers, family and friends consider contributing to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, in Austin, Texas: www.wildflower.org/donate.