Theresa Ellen Castillo

Theresa Ellen Castillo
September 11, 1948 – February 7, 2021


Theresa Ellen Castillo passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2021 surrounded by loved ones. Born on September 11th in Ledoux, NM to Celestino and Patsy Pino, she was raised on a small farm with her siblings in Torrington, WY.

Theresa worked in the career field of early childhood education for most of her life. In 1968, she began volunteering at the local Head Start program in Scottsbluff, NE. Then throughout the 1970s, she volunteered and worked at the local Head Start program in North Platte, NE. After relocating with her family to Cheyenne, WY, she continued her career at the local Head Start program. In the mid-1990s, she became a small business owner, opening her own licensed childcare center, A Bright Beginning, in Cheyenne, WY. In the 2000s, she opened her own licensed home childcare preschool, Discovery World, in Cheyenne, WY. In 2006, she was awarded with the State of Wyoming Department of Family Services Building the Future: Outstanding Service to Children and Families Award, recognizing commitment to excellence in early childhood education. In 2018, after 50 years of teaching 1000s of children and serving 100s of families, “Ms. Theresa” retired from the profession.

Theresa enjoyed shopping for “hidden treasures” at local thrift shops and planning celebratory events, such as baby showers, preschool graduation ceremonies, and Christmas programs. However, most of all, she enjoyed communicating with her “Lord, Jesus Christ,” attending church services at Restoration Fellowship International Church, and practicing her faith through various deeds and acts ranging from teaching Sunday school, planning and conducting donation drives for children (i.e., Christmas bags and bicycles), to providing long-term care for family members. She always said, “it’s better to give than receive” and “the Lord will always pay you back in return.” This was her ethos and calling—serving the Lord and others.

Theresa is survived by her children: Patricia (Rick) Westbrook, Eddie (Lyn) Castillo; Thomas (Minerva) Castillo, Jason (Danielle) Castillo; Marcus Castillo, and Samantha (Mike) Castillo-Vandeventer; 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; former husband, Eduardo Castillo; siblings, Lydia Castro, Roque (Vicki) Pino, Ronnie Pino, Florence Marquez, Tina Barrientos, and Patty Pino; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Theresa is preceded in death by her loving parents, Celestino Pino and Patsy (Abel) Ruiz-Serna, and her grandson, Micheal Castillo.

The Visitation is Thursday, February 18, 2021 from 9am-4pm at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes. The Prayer Service is Thursday, February 18, 2021 from 6-7pm at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes, located at 1900 East 19th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001. This service will be livestreamed. The Funeral Service is Friday, February 19, 2021 from 10am-12pm at Restoration Fellowship International Church, located at 522 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82007. This service will be livestreamed. Following the Funeral Service is the interment at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens, located at 4701 Christensen Road, Cheyenne, WY 82009. Due to COVID-19, masks are required to be worn during services and social distancing will be practiced. In Theresa’s memory, please take every precaution to protect yourself, your loved ones, and others around you by wearing a mask and taking COVID-19 seriously. It is real and it ended her life unexpectedly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Restoration Fellowship International Church—use “Push Pay” text messaging from iPhone or Android (or download the app). Type “77977” for telephone number, and in body of the text messaging type “RFIchurch.” You will receive a text message link (“Click” it) and under “Tithes” choose “Other” and make your donation or send check to the address above for Restoration Fellowship International Church.