Barbara

Castro

In her 90 ^th year, Barbara passed away on Wednesday May 24 ^th at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston following a brief illness.  Born and raised in Regla, Cuba, she grew up in Cuba as a member of a large blended family of the late Jose-Maria Fernandez and Tomasa Llerandi-Capaz.  She married Orlando J. Castro and together with her husband began raising two sons in Cuba.  Seeking freedom and a better way of life, the family left Cuba in 1971 and settled in Chelsea.  Barbara worked outside of the home for many years at New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham and later at the Bear Hill Nursing Home in Stoneham.  She retired to Tampa with her husband for a time before returning here to Chelsea then taking residence at Admirals Hill.  Barbara  enjoyed gardening and housekeeping providing a happy and healthy home environment for her family.  She was active for several years at the Chelsea Senior Center and was a faithful parishioner, frequent communicant and member of Chelsea's St. Rose of Lima Community.  After sharing 61 years of marriage Barbara was widowed 4 years ago at the passing of her beloved husband Orlando.  In addition to her husband and parents Barbara was also preceded in death by a brother "Pecucho" Llerandi and several other siblings.  She is lovingly survived by her two sons; Orlando E. Castro and his wife Luisa of Chelsea and Ricardo L. Castro of Greer SC. She remains the cherished grandmother of Elizabeth Castro-Diaz and Isbel Modica and adored great-grandmother of Isabella and Jorge Modica.  She is the dear sister of Isabel Capaz and Miguel Capaz both of Cuba.