Marina Castro

1936 - 2023

Marina Castro
March 11, 1936 - February 12, 2023
San Luis Obispo, California - Marina Roberta Castro, 86, a California native and resident of San Luis Obispo, passed away on February 12th, 2023 at home surrounded by family.
Marina was born in Santa Barbara, CA on March 11, 1936 to José and Christine Palato. She spent several years of her childhood growing up in the Convent of the Good Shepard in Los Angeles and spoke fondly of her time there. As a graduate of the convent's Pelletier High School in 1953, she had established herself as a distinguished artist. Her creative works could be admired on display throughout the convent and even caught the eye of Walt Disney himself. Following her graduation, she decided to move to Santa Maria, CA to be closer to family. Soon after her move she met, fell in love with, and married Albert Castro. As a wonderful, hard working wife and mother of three, Marina also dedicated 21 years as an employee of TRW before finishing her working career at San Luis Medical Clinic leading up to her well deserved retirement. Even with a longstanding full-time career, no milestones or special events were ever missed. She always made time for all the games, school plays, dance performances, and birthday parties - something her children and grandchildren will never forget. Marina enriched the lives of her loved ones with countless cherished memories.
An avid bowler, she and her husband Albert played in multiple leagues together. She enjoyed her lunches with friends, annual trips to Laughlin, rooting for the Los Angeles Dodgers, volunteering weekly at the senior center, and loved spending time with family. She will be dearly missed and remembered for her kind nature, hard work ethic, and the love she had for her family and friends.
Marina is preceded in death by her loving husband Albert Castro Sr., sisters Isabel Bohl and Anita Tanore, and brother Jesus Palato. She is survived by daughter Michele and husband Todd Thomas of Arroyo Grande, son Michael and wife Karen Castro of Clovis, son Albert Castro and girlfriend Elke Balgeman of Atascadero, grandchildren Jennifer, Julie, Austyn, Megan, Rebecca, Joshua, Shelby, and Nathaniel, great-grandchildren Hayden, Hunter, and Sophia, and brother George Ventura of Fresno, and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of the Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 11th at 10am at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa officiated by Father Raphael Reniva. Burial will follow at the Old Mission Catholic Cemetery and a celebration of life will be held at the Elks Lodge from 12pm - 3pm.