Betty Castle

Betty Jane (Lum) Castle, 74, of Mt. Lena, Maryland, loving mother, grandmother and devoted wife, died on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland with her family by her side.

Born on June 4, 1937 in Fairplay, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late William Oscar Lum and Virginia Elizabeth (Hammersla) Lum.

She was a 1955 graduate of Boonsboro High School.

Betty was formerly employed by J.J. Newberry and Co. and was a retired Avon Representative.

She was a member of the former United Brethren Church in Mt. Lena, Maryland and also attended the Boonsboro Bible Church.

In addition to family, Betty enjoyed bird watching - cardinals in particular, butterflies, owls, lighthouses, word sleuths, faceted and opaque gemstones, and jewelry design.  She also loved to read novels.

She is survived by her husband of nearly fifty-six years, John; her two children, Brenda Beachley and her husband, Gary of Keedysville, Maryland; Greg Castle and his wife Marie of Aldie, Virginia; one granddaughter, Lauren and three grandsons, Jordan, Jeremy and Connor all of Aldie, Virginia; and one brother, Richard Lum and his wife Joann of Boonsboro, Maryland.  Betty is also survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Louise Fisher and Ethel Virginia Waters; and two brothers, Charles Oscar Lum and James Alvey Lum.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike in Boonsboro.  The family will also receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 12 noon on Friday, June 10, 2011 after which family and friends will gather at Betty's request for a graveside ceremony at 1:00 p.m. at the Boonsboro Cemetery on Cemetery Lane in Boonsboro, Maryland.  Rev. Gene Renner will officiate.  To further honor Betty's wishes, there will be no viewing.