A Lifetime Of Community Service: Diana Casta?eda Left Indelible Imprint On East Austin

EAST AUSTIN, TX -- Longtime community activist and former Austin ISD school board trustee Diana Castañeda died over the weekend at the age of 64.

In a GoFund me page created to help the family defray funeral expenses, community members recalled Castañeda's many fights in advocating for her community -- keeping schools open, ensuring women's rights, highlighting neighborhood issues, promoting rights for minority communities, and more.

In addition to her work on social causes, she was a pioneer as the first Latina to be elected to the Austin school board in 1992.

Castañeda passed away on Saturday from complications stemming from preexisting health conditions.

Current Austin ISD board member Paul Saldaña was among those paying tribute to Castañeda over the weekend, recalling the tireless advocacy she exhibited in defense of her community.

On his Facebook page, Saldaña posted photos of a press conference he helped organize nearly five years ago when the community was galvanized to keep Allan Elementary in East Austin open amid threats of its closure.

In the middle of the fight, on a cold and rainy protest day, there was Diana Castañeda -- a presence on which her community came to rely, Saldaña recalled.

"Our community rallied to oppose the closing of Allan Elementary in East Austin," he wrote. "It was cold and raining, but former Trustee Diana Castañeda was not at all phased by the inclement weather. She was front and center being a strong voice and advocate for East Austin families, students, teachers and her beloved community."

East Austin resident could always count on her presence when her voice was needed, Saldaña suggested.

"She was courageous and vigilant advocating for equity in education for our economically disadvantaged and minority students," he said. "Thank you trustee Castañeda for your years of leadership, advocacy and public service; rest in peace."

Castañeda is survived by her husband and five children.

>>> Photos vie GoFundMe and Facebook