Dorothea V. (McNamara) Castle

CASTLE, Dorothea V. WYNANTSKILL  On Tuesday, April 18, 2023 Dorothea V. (McNamara) Castle, 92, passed away surrounded by her loving family.  Dorothy has now rejoined her beloved husband of 65 years, David J. Castle. She is survived by her children David B. Castle & Lise [Winters] Castle, Kathleen [Castle] Munn & John Munn, Paul Castle & Dawn [Smith] Castle, Christine [Castle] Cooley & Tom Cooley II, Timothy Castle & Colleen [Abercrombie] Castle, Maureen Castle Tusty & Jim Tusty, and Susan Castle-Smith.  Dorothy has joined in heaven her parents, brother, Jack McNamara, beloved son, Mark Patrick Castle, and beloved grandson, Kevin Patrick Munn. Gram is also survived by 13 grandchildren: David M., Eileen, Christopher, Andrea, Meaghan, Ian, Thomas, Catherine, Alexander, Kayla, Madeleine, Samantha, and Skyler, and 10 great grandchildren; Johann, Shealeigh, Eliza, Thomas IV, Cameron, Ella, Scarlett, Connor, Levi, and Ivy who will carry on her values of faith and love for family. 

Dorothy graduated from Catholic Central High School and worked at Pioneer Savings Bank. A friend from work wanted her to meet Dave at a company picnic. She went to his bus stop to catch a glimpse of him first and quickly decided she wanted to go to that picnic! They became engaged before Dave left to serve in the Korean War and were married as soon as he returned.

Early in their engagement in 1952, Dorothy & Dave drove past a newly constructed church, St. Jude the Apostle in Wynantskill. They went in and said a prayer together, and decided this area would be their future home. All 7 children attended St. Jude’s Elementary School and Dorothy was always there to volunteer. She was an active parishioner of St. Jude's Church, a member of the Altar Rosary Society, and especially loved her Prayer Group, which played an important role in her life with deep friendships and helping one another through the varied experiences of life.

After the children were grown, she worked for the NYS Education Department proctoring exams, and especially appreciated reading exams to those who were blind. Dorothy and Dave enjoyed trips to visit their children in California and Estonia, and adventures with friends. But most of all, they enjoyed BIG family gatherings and attending every…single…graduation, school concert, baseball game, play, track meet, birthday party...you name it, they were there.

She will be remembered for the joy she found in being with her children, grandchildren great-grandchildren and dear friends, and her amazing ability to offer advice and opinions through a single “look.” She often said, “You’re never done being a mother, you can’t just turn it off,” and we are so thankful that she lived this all of her life to the very end.

The Castle Clan would like to thank all of the special caregivers at Ludder’s Country Homes for their loving care and support of our family. Your home became our parents’ home, and we could not have found a better second family.

Dorothy’s life as beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend will be celebrated Friday, April 21st, at the Wm. Leahy Funeral Home, 336 Third Street, Troy, with visiting hours from 4pm-7pm. Funeral will be held Saturday, April 22nd at 1:00pm at St. Jude the Apostle Church, Wynantskill, internment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Troy. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to St. Jude the Apostle Church.

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