Herminia Castro of Somerset passed away peacefully on May 12, 2015.
She was born on a farm in the small town of Arrecifes, Argentina. The oldest of nine children, she spent much of her childhood with her beloved grandparents in the town of Vina, where she met her husband, Bernard, and gave birth to her daughter, Edith.
After traveling extensively throughout South America with her husband, where she learned about the culture and customs of many countries, she moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1948. There, she held a variety of jobs: packing candy, sewing and baking.
Herminia moved to Old Bridge in 1960 and then to South River in 1966. She worked as a sewing machine operator for Wilshire Fashions for many years, later moving to Edison and then Somerset.
Herminia was an avid gardener who was happiest outside among trees and wildlife. She found a way to plant vegetables and flowers no matter where she was and generously shared her produce with family, friends and neighbors. Herminia was a wonderful baker; her family could always count on a large tray of delicious cookies for the holidays. She loved animals and children. She always seemed to have a stray cat to feed, and had a special relationship with her four grandchildren with whom she lived for many years, taking them on trips, making pancakes for breakfast, bringing them to the ballet and rock and roll concerts, and driving to the supermarket with her grandson in his muscle car. As she aged, her face would light up upon seeing her great-grandchildren.
Herminia’s avocation was alternative medicine. She read extensively about natural remedies and was happy to share her knowledge with her family, teaching them about “health food” long before it was in vogue.
Herminia was predeceased by her husband, Bernard. She is survived by her daughter, Edith D’Esposito, and her son-inlaw, Joe; her granddaughter, Joann Donatiello and her husband, Marc; her granddaughter, Diane D’Esposito; her grandson, Michael D’Esposito and his wife, Regina; her grandson, Joseph D’Esposito and his wife, Lorene; her four great-grandchildren, Nicholas D’Esposito, Daniel D’Esposito, Mia Donatiello and Joseph Robert D’Esposito; her sister, Adelina DiPalma; her brother, Victor Muzzioli; and many nieces and nephews.
Private services were held under the direction of Selover Funeral Home, 555 Georges Road, North Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made in Herminia’s name to McCarrick Care Center, 15 Dellwood Lane, Somerset, New Jersey, 08873.