Virginia Castoreno Zamora

Virginia Castoreno Zamora passed away on April 10, 2005. Virginia was born into a family of six brothers on September 6, 1938 to Ricardo and Bonifacia Zamora. Virginia began her career in the University Health System on January 5, 1961 as a senior nurse after graduating from the Robert B. Green School of Nursing. She spent time as a staff nurse in OB/Gyn, Labor and Delivery, and in the Post Anesthesia unit. In 1983, she received her Bachelors Degree of Science in Nursing from Incarnate Word College and became a head surgical recovery room nurse. In 1995, she decided to apply her years of nursing skills to telephone triage service through Nurse Link. Virginia was tenacious in solving complex patients problems. She was an extraordinary patient advocate who believed the key to successfully helping a patient was to hear what they had to say and used that knowledge in guiding them to the best possible medical outcome. Virginia recently retired after 43 years of service to the Bexar County Hospital District. In 1973, her community involvement, largely began by doing research for the Committee of Mexican-American Action (forerunner or sponsoring organization of COPS). Subsequently, this lead to her 28 years of membership in Community Organization for Public Services (COPS) which included being one of the original COPS leaders. Through these efforts, she became a leader for St. Joseph's COPS Parish. Her background in nursing lead to her working on health related issues within the community that lead toward the changes to the present City of San Antonio ordinances that increased junkyard safety. Her involvement continued with code compliance issues for years in the south side of San Antonio. With schools near by, Virginia lead the fight against a drug rehab facility being built in an area which is now a much needed medical complex at the corner of Briggs and Somerset Road. Virginia was also instrumental in bringing Palo Alto College into her community as education was one of her other passions. As a result of all these accomplishments on behalf of the community as well as her distinguished nursing career Bexar County Commissioners Court bestowed the Hidalgo Award proclaiming her a person of noble descent on September 21, 2004. The title Hidalgo was conferred by Decree of the Spanish King on Settlers from the Canary Islands who responded to the Crown's appeal for people to come to the Province of the New Philippines (Texas) in 1718. This is the highest award that can be given to a citizen in Bexar County. Virginia is survived by her brothers, Richard C. Zamora and wife Eduvigen "Bea", Ynocencio C. Zamora and wife Clara of Friendswood, Texas, Tony C. Zamora, Robert C. Zamora and wife Mary Helen and Raul C. Zamora and wife Diana. She is also survived by numerous loving nieces, nephews, friends and past co-workers. The family will received friends beginning at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, 2005, with Rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm on that day. The funeral procession will depart Trevino Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. for Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph of South San Catholic Church. Interment will follow in San Fernando Catholic Cemetery II. Trevino Palo Alto Funeral Home.