Nemesia "Menchi" Rijos Castro

Of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico and Grand Island, New York, entered into rest on March 17, 2026. Beloved wife of Medardo “Viejo” Trujillo Roque. Devoted mother of Rosa (Michael) Ziolkowski (nee Negron) and Harry E. Negron (Mitzi Loubriel Negron). Dear sister of Milagros Castro Oquendo, Candido Rijos Castro, Irma Castro and Nilsa Rijos Castro. Dear grandmother of Elliott L. Ziolkowski, Isabella G. Ziolkowski, Harry “Junior” Negron Loubriel, and Derek Negron Loubriel. Stepmother of Nuris (Carlos and Mariel Perez) and Maivi Trujillo. Survived by her adopted family Xiomara and Javier Mejia and their children, Sol Rivera and Carlos “Papo” Santiago, Yolanda Dixon, Lourdes Lopez, Nelson Castro Santos, Noslen Castro Lopez, Zaid Perez and Juan Pizarron, and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends everywhere she went.

Nemesia "Menchi" Rijos Castro was a wonderful human being, mother, friend, sister and co-worker. In life, she dedicated herself to the service of others. Her illustrious career as an emergency room nurse had its roots in her childhood. According to her mother, Angela Castro, she would take care of her ailing grandfather and anybody in her neighborhood that was sick. She graduated high school at age 16 and then attended nursing school. After graduation, she worked as an emergency room nurse and served as a union representative at Centro Medico de Puerto Rico for nearly half a century. She worked with her union brothers and sisters to ensure safe working conditions for the employees and patients at the hospital. Outside of work she was generous with everyone and showed deep compassion for people in need. St. Lazarus was her patron.

Her family welcome guests for visitation at 10am on March 28, 2026 at Lombardo Funeral Home, 4614 Main Street in Snyder, New York. A Christian Burial will take place at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, 2021 Sandridge Rd., Alden, New York at 1pm.