Nancy Thomas Castle

Nancy Thomas Castle, 95, of Holland, Vermont passed away on December 16, 2025.

Nancy was born on November 15, 1930 to William and Charlotte Thomas in Jersey City, New Jersey. Nancy graduated from Dickinson High School and attended St. Lawrence University. At St. Lawrence, she met Robert (Bob) Castle and they married in 1951. In 1955 they moved to Lincoln Park, New Jersey where Rev. Robert W. Castle became rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. In 1960, they returned to their hometown of Jersey City and became immersed in the parish of St. John's Episcopal Church. Though Nancy played a supporting role in supporting Bob's active involvement in the civil rights movement, she played the lead role in raising four children.

The family moved to Holland, Vermont in 1971 after spending several summers at the old farmhouse on Mead Hill. Nancy and Bob ran the East Charleston Country store and dabbled in homesteading, planting big gardens and raising a wide range of animals. Nancy then worked at the North Country High School Career Center.

Nancy was a long-term, active member of St. Marks Church, where she served on the vestry and then the parish administrator for many years. Her "church family" was an important part of her life and she was always committed to serving those in need.

Nancy enjoyed summers in Holland and was an enthusiastic gardener. She found great pleasure in picking wild blueberries and flowers of all kinds, with special affection for wildflowers, lilacs, pussy willows, and apple blossoms. Nancy was an excellent cook and took great joy in preparing meals for her family. She continued to cook and bake from scratch up until the last month of her life. She loved the ocean, rejoiced in family trips to Maine and delighted in any chance to partake in eating oysters, steamers or a lobster roll. It was always a great joy for her to be a part of summer gatherings with family and friends at Mead Hill Farm.

Nancy was always able to make genuine connections with people of all backgrounds and in many ways was a great connector of people. She was always happy to see friends and family and quick in sharing the good news of others. Nancy was a strong believer in social justice locally and globally and always a supporter of those who were dedicated to advancing racial, economic and social equality.

Nancy is survived by her children; Jane Castle and husband Norm, of Holland Vt; Paul Castle and wife Carol, of Derby, Vt, and John Castle and wife Jill of Holland, Vt. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jessica Moulton Owen, Ben Moulton, Adam Moulton; Elizabeth Castle, William Castle, Grace Castle; Emma Castle and Parker Castle; as well as four great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents, her son Robert, former husband Bob and her sister Janet Hauck.

A memorial service will be held at St. Marks Church in Newport, Vt on Saturday January 17 at 1:00 pm. A reception to follow in the parish house. Burial will be held in the summer at Mead Hill Farm in Holland.

Contributions can be made in her memory to St. Marks Church, 44 2nd St. Newport, VT 05855