Mabel Irene Castner

Mabel Irene Castner (Stuart)

Mabel Irene Castner, age 82 resident of Elkton Care and Rehab, Elkton, MD, former resident of Brookside Park, Newark, DE, and Landenberg, PA passed away peacefully surrounded by her family after a courageous three year battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born on December 17, 1929 in West Jefferson, NC to the late Wiley and Edna Stuart. The family eventually moved to the Landenberg area in 1944.

Upon graduating from Kennett High School, Mabel enlisted and served in the Air Force, this is where she met and married the love of her life, the late Albert A. Castner, Sr. with whom she shared 50 years of marriage prior to his death in 2003. She left the Air Force to start their family. Although a homemaker for most of her life, Mabel worked at Tim's Cannery in Hockessin and as a cook at Steve's Centreville Inn. Mabel was an excellent cook and a self-taught cake decorator making all of her children's wedding and grandchildren's birthday cakes. She had an incredible love for animals, once racing into a burning house to save a litter of puppies. She was a huge New York Mets fan. She had a special love and place in her heart for her disabled daughter, Darlene, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the staff of Elkton Care and Rehab Alzheimer's unit for their excellent care and compassion, going above and beyond in their care for Mabel.

Mabel is survived by her loving family including son, Albert A. Castner, Jr., Elkton, MD; daughters, Darlene Castner, Bear; Gail (Danny) Reeves, Elkton, MD; Lisa (Kerry) Phelps and Dianne (Wayne) Cebula all of Bear; 6 grandchildren, Christopher Castner, Bryan and Sarah Cebula, Steven Reeves, Sean and Sydney Phelps; 4 great-grandchildren, Kayla Davis, Morgan and Christopher Castner, and Austin Cebula; sisters Louise VanSant, Smyrna and Mae Stuart Nather, Wilmington, and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. In addition to being preceded in death by her parents and husband, Mabel was also preceded in death by her brother, John Paul Stuart, sister, Anita Colofrancisco, and grandson, Jassen Castner.

Family and friends are invited to Mabel's Life Celebration on Tuesday, October 16. A viewing will be held at 10:45, followed by a service at 11:45, at Beeson Funeral Home, 2053 Pulaski Hwy, Newark, DE. 19702. A committal service will be held at 1:00 at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear with full military honors.

In memory of Mabel, contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association c/o Elkton Care and Rehab., attention Jolene Paruch, One Price Drive, Elkton, MD 21921 or an animal rescue group of your choice.

Beeson Funeral Home

302-453-1900