Charlene Frances Castro, age 79, of Helena

Charlene Frances Castro, Age 79, of Helena

March 5, 1946 to September 22, 2025

After an extended illness, Charlene Frances Castro went to meet our Savior on Monday evening, September 22.

Charlene was born to Charles and Genevieve (Trimble) Jones in Alameda, California on March 5, 1946.  Along with her older brother Don, she grew up in San Leandro, California.  She graduated from San Leandro High School in the Class of ’64.

During the Sixties and early Seventies, Charlene worked in offices, first as a file clerk and then as an Addressograph operator who produced and sent out mass mailings to the members of Retail Clerks Local 870 in Oakland while keeping her cantankerous machine working.  In 1973 she met Jim Castro, who married her and took her away from the office.

Charlene and Jim had four children (two boys and two girls) between 1974 and 1984, while living in northern California.  In 1991 they moved to God’s Country, and here they stayed.  Since 2008 they lived in the Helena area.

Charlene kept a good household for her family.  She was fond of cooking, and she put together a collection of thousands of recipes in loose-leaf binders, organized by nationality (Italian, Mexican, etc.) and by dish types (chicken, beef, salads, desserts, …)  While living in Missoula she organized and assembled a cookbook (Cooking with Grace) containing recipes from fellow parishioners at Holy Family Catholic Church to raise money for a local charity.

She is survived by Jim, her husband of 52 years, by her children Daniel Castro, John Castro (Courtney), Christine (Erik) Svaren, and Jennifer Castro, and by her grandson, Zane Svaren.

A visitation will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59602 on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 6pm to 9pm. The Rosary will be offered at 11:35am at SS Cyril and Methodious Catholic Church, 120 W Riggs St., East Helena, MT 59635 on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12pm following the rosary. Following mass, burial will take place at St. Ann’s Cemetery, 3600 Highway 12 East, East Helena, MT 59635. A reception will be held back at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church after the conclusion of the graveside service. Condolences can be shared at www.aswfuneralhome.com.

Service Schedule

Visitation

6:00pm to 9:00pm

Tuesday October 7, 2025

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Rosary

11:35am

Wednesday October 8, 2025

SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church

120 W Riggs St

East Helena, Montana 59635

View map

Mass of Christian Burial

12:00pm

Wednesday October 8, 2025

SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church

120 W Riggs St

East Helena, Montana 59635

View map

Burial

Following the Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday October 8, 2025

St. Ann Cemetery

3600 Highway 12 East

East Helena, Montana 59635

View map

Reception

Following the Burial

Wednesday October 8, 2025

SS Cyril and Methodious Catholic Church

120 W Riggs St.

East Helena, Montana 59635

View map

Share

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

No photos have been submitted yet.
Click here to share yours.