Diana Gayle Castro

Published 5:00 am Sunday, May 12, 2013

September 27, 1945 – May 5, 2013

Diana passed away quietly Sunday evening, May 5, at her home in Bend Oregon , surrounded by family.

Diana’s memorial service will be at the First Presbyterian Church in Bend Oregon on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Diana’s family suggests that those who would like to make a gift of remembrance do so to Food First or Sojourners in Diana’s name.

Diana was preceded in death by her mother and father, Katherine and Ernest Heymans of Hayward, CA and her ex-husband, James Castro of Bend Oregon and more recently Raton, NM. She is survived by her children: Pete Castro of Myrtle Creek Oregon and his family, wife Lora and daughters Madisen and Jenna; Tim Castro of Hermosa South Dakota and his family, wife Deana and sons Craig and Nicholas; Joanna Castro of Eugene Oregon and her family Robert Miller and son Willow; and her sister Janet Forcier of Livermore California; niece Kim Barnes of Pleasanton California and her husband Chad; and nephew Curtis Joseph and his family, wife Karen and son Kyle of Scottsdale Arizona and many friends, co-workers and students in the Central Oregon area. Diana lived in the California Bay Area early in her life and moved to Central Oregon as a Back to the Land Pioneer in the early 1970’s where she raised her family on a small organic farm. Diana was active in the Presbyterian Church and was a social justice advocate, serving as a Witness for Peace in Nicaragua and being active in a local Central America Group which brought awareness to U.S. government policy in El Salvador. Diana was a humanitarian, making generous contributions of resources and time to charities such as Bread for the World, Food First, the Oregon Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity. Diana earned her Master of Education degree in the early 1990’s from Oregon State University and taught middle school topics including; math science, social studies and history in Prineville Oregon for 22 years until she retired due to heath challenges in 2012. Diana served as a steward in the teacher’s union. Diana was also well read on many topics and involved with several local book clubs. Diana’s family expresses their sincere thanks and gratitude to all of Diana’s dear friends, particularly to those who shared Diana’s last year and were so helpful and caring. Diana’s life has been a gift to many. Her legacy lives on through all the love and compassion she shared.

Please sign our online guest book at www.niswonger-reynolds.com.