Frances M. Castello

Obituary of Frances M. Castello

Frances M. Castello, age 83, of Glen Mills, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026, at her residence in the Maris Grove community, with her loving daughters faithfully by her side.

Born in Pensacola, Florida on August 14, 1942 to Dr. William Livingood and Lucille Donagal, Frances' life was defined by devotion to her family, to her faith, and to anyone in need of comfort or care. Since the fall of 2022, she and her beloved husband, James J. Castello, made their home Maris GroveSenior Living Community, where they continued their life of companionship they had built together until his passing on January 19, 2024. Over their almost 60 years of marriage together, Frances and Jim also lived in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, Yokohama, Japan and Racine, Wisconsin, embracing each community with grace and warmth.

Frances graduated from Rosemont College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After graduating college, she worked as a social worker before starting a family. She proudly stayed home to raise five daughters and once they all left the nest, she graduated as valedictorian with her Master of Divinity degree from Seton Hall University. She then served as a chaplain in several hospices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for many years. In that sacred role, her loving nature, gentle tenderness, and profound respect for all life touched countless families. She walked with people through their most vulnerable moments, illness, uncertainty, grief - offering prayer, steady reassurance, and compassionate listening. She led bereavement support groups that helped so many and brought her spiritual delight. People found in her not only spiritual guidance, but also a calm and steadfast friend. Above all else, Frances' vocation was love. As a devoted homemaker and mother of five daughters, she created a home that was a sanctuary…warm, welcoming, and filled with faith. She had a remarkable ability to care for people, across every season and circumstance of life. Whether nurturing her children, supporting extended family, comforting a grieving friend, or tending to someone who needed extra patience and understanding, Frances met each person exactly where they were. She instinctively recognized when someone needed encouragement, practical help, or simply a quiet presence, and she gave of herself generously and without hesitation.

Frances was always drawn to the underdog and to those who felt overlooked or burdened. She had a deep sensitivity to suffering and quietly sought ways to ease it. Her Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life from an early age. In every parish she belonged to, she immersed herself in service, finding joy and purpose in lifting others up to the Lord. Her faith was not only professed, it was lived daily in small, consistent acts of kindness.

Her remarkable inner and outer beauty was unmistakable, expressed through a natural elegance and a grace that elevated every space she entered. Frances was most at home in intimate, one-on-one conversation. In those moments, she made others feel truly seen and heard. Her quiet strength was unequivocal. While she often carried herself with gentle humility, those closest to her knew the depth of her resolve. Her determination and loyalty to the people she loved never wavered. Even in her final days, her willpower and enduring faith were evident, as she prepared to take her place in heaven with her Lord and Savior.

Frances will be remembered as a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Her legacy is one of steadfast love, selfless service, unwavering faith, and a life beautifully lived for others. She will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.

In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, Frances was preceded in death by her sister, Joan Giles, and her grandson, Walter DeBruin. She is survived by her five daughters: Jamie (Bryan) Holmes, Lisa (Rich) Rowan, Paula Castello (Tom Cover), Karen (Connor) Bifferato, and Danielle (David) Tomlin; her siblings, Bill Livingood, Carol Swyers, John Livingood, and Charles Livingood; fifteen cherished grandchildren - Olivia, Rachel, Erik, Evan, Eva, Fiona, Elizabeth, Jack, William, Lilliana, Rocco, Gianni, Rainna, Liselle, and Heidi; and two adored great-grandchildren - Kessler and Daisy.

Her love endures in each of them and in the countless lives she so gently and faithfully touched.

A viewing for Frances will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 10AM-10:45AM at St. Thomas the Apostle, 430 Valleybrook Rd., Glen Mills, PA 19342, followed by a Mass at 11:00AM. Both the viewing and mass will be held in the chapel, not the main church. Interment will follow at the St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery, same location.

Donations in her memory may be made to Alanon Family Groups:

https://ecomm.al-anon.org/donate#vaff

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com