Erica Marie Castillo

It is with heavy hearts that we grieve with you the unexpected passing of our beloved Erica Marie Castillo on June 13, 2026, at the age of 38. 

Erica was born in Waco, Texas, on June 13, 1988, to Delia Torres and Pete Castillo. She graduated from University High School and later earned her Medical Assistant certification. She spent many years serving others in the medical field and was pursuing her dream of becoming a Surgical Technologist, currently enrolled in college to further her education. 

Erica made her home in Austin, moving there with her life partner, Isaac Guzman. Together they raised three beautiful children, Ilena Abigail Guzman, Isaac Emiliano Guzman, and Enzo Justiniano Guzman. Her children were her whole world, her greatest pride, and the joy of her life. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to being the best mother she could be, loving her children fiercely and unconditionally. At the time of her passing, Erica was employed at University Co-Op as a Processing Lead, a role she took great pride in. She possessed a servant’s heart, natural leadership abilities, and a nurturing spirit that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. Erica was passionate about her family and cherished creating lasting memories with those she loved. She enjoyed spending time outdoors and enthusiastically attended sporting events for her children, nieces, and nephews. Most recently, she embraced the role of assistant volleyball coach for her daughter’s team. She had a beautiful gift for making others feel seen, supported, and loved. Erica was someone who could always be counted on to show up for the people she cared about. She will be remembered for her free-spirited, adventurous, and vibrant personality, her infectious laugh, her radiant smile that could light up any room, and her ability to find positivity despite life’s challenges. One of the mottos she lived by was, “Life is too short,” and she truly lived hers filled with love, laughter, and joy. 

Erica was preceded in death by her stepmother, Abigail Chapa Castillo; her grandfathers, Claudio T. Chavez and Esperidian Castillo; her uncle, Steve Castillo; and her cousin, Sara Castillo. 

She is survived by her mother, Delia Torres and husband Mark Torres; her father, Pete Castillo; her grandmothers, Janie Chavez, Anita Lopez, and Rebecca Chapa; her brothers, Jonathon Duron and sister in law Jennifer Duron, Matthew Duron, his daughters Summer Carrillo and Alexis Marie Duron, and Cresencio Chapa and wife Cierra Chapa and their daughter Abby Chapa; her sisters, Kayla Chapa, Ashlie Anderson and husband, Jacove Anderson, and their daughter, Aria Abigail Anderson, Christiana Loera and husband Felipe Loera and their daughter Millie Loera, and Angelina Anusencion and husband Devon Anusencion; her aunts and uncles, Claudia Chavez, Ernest Chavez and wife Jessica Chavez, Martin Castillo and wife Brandi Castillo, Daniel Castillo, Amy Chapa Gullien and husband, Tony Guillen, Adrian Chapa, Andrew Chapa, and Augustin Chapa, Jr; her cousin, Alyssa Chavez; along with numerous cherished relatives and dear friends.

Honorary pallbearers are nephews Adrian “Skinny” Gutierrez, Gio Loera, Jaxon Duron, Jaidon Duron, Jaylen Garcia, Kamdyn Garcia, Khylen Garcia, Madden Anderson, Cousin Ernest Chavez Jr., and brother in law Alex Guzman and wife, Julie Guzman. 

Erica will be deeply missed and forever remain in our hearts. The love she gave, the memories she created, and the impact she left on our lives will mark us for eternity. Though her time with us was far too short, her legacy of love, strength, and joy will continue to live on through all who knew and loved her.