Sylvia “CB” Castaneda-Norris - A Fighter in Life and Loving Mother

Sylvia Castaneda-Norris passed away on April 30th, 2017 in Malaga, Spain, where she ended her four-year battle with cancer.  She continued fighting for her life never giving up, leaving happily on her next adventure to see another part of the world.  She would not take “no” for an answer and left for Malaga, Spain where she spent her final days living her life the way she always wanted, traveling and seeing another part of the world.

Sylvia, also know as CB, was born in Lytle, TX on July 30th, 1960.  The 9th child of Ernesto and Maria Martinez; she was outgoing and loved her parents and siblings dearly, she would do anything to protect and care for them.  Attending Lytle, High School, she played all sports, was a photographer for the high school yearbook, and was a fun-spirited Lytle Pirate Cheerleader, cheering on her fellow classmates and older brother, Ricky Martinez. 

She moved to Baytown, TX in 1978 where she began her family, giving birth to her first son, Robert Henry Castaneda Jr.  Three years later she gave birth to her second son, Mark Anthony Castaneda.  Both of her sons were her pride and joy and reason for living.  She worked hard every day to give her sons the life she always wanted, and taught them the importance of working hard for what they want.  She loved her sons very much and always told them to never give up on their dreams and to fight for what they want in life.  She moved her family to Northwest Houston in 1992 where she continued to raise them.

Sylvia was the kind of person that could make friends with anyone she came across.  She had a larger than life personality, and huge heart of gold.  Her friends and family could always depend on her for help or advice about love and life.  She was never afraid to speak her mind or hold back her feelings.  Her laugh was contagious, she was always the life of the party, and the center of anything fun.  She loved to travel the world and was always ready to go on her next adventure; she had friends everywhere she went.  She especially loved traveling anywhere around the Mediterranean Sea, where her family plans to spread her ashes.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Norris, sons Robert and Mark Castaneda, grandchildren, Starla and Corrie Taylor, siblings Lupe Alfaro, Junior Martinez, Dora Garcia, Henry Martinez, Alma Voorhees, Eva Ybarra, Belia Saenz, Ricardo Martinez, Ruben Martinez, Raquel Martinez and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She will be loved and missed by so many but her spirit will live in all those she touched forever.

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Her Life at Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services located at 1734 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX on Saturday, May 27th from six o'clock until nine o'clock in the evening.

 Service Information