Doris Elizabeth Castle
May 20, 1921 — November 10, 2015
The world lost a dynamic lady, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, and friend on November 10, 2015 when Doris Elizabeth Castle of Laurel passed away.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 20, 1921, Doris was one of 7 children to be born to the loving parents of Frank Leser and Helen Hall. She was joined in her family by big brother Frank, sister Maybelle, Rodney, twins Carl and Everett, and younger brother Billy.
On July 13, 1940 Doris left her family to marry her life-long partner of 67 years, John "Jack" Castle Jr. of Laurel. They had 5 children blessed to them, first born son John E. Castle III of Denton, Md., daughters Sharon A. Castle of Waynesboro, Pa., Darlene E. Castle of Laurel, Md., Fern M. Cole of Martinsburg, W. Va., and son Bruce N. Castle of Laurel, Md.
She was a creative homemaker that helped build her home brick by brick along side her husband Jack. She told the story that her house was made from 3,000 cinder blocks that she helped to carry one by one to put in place.
Doris was a "lover of flowers" and arranged them at home and the florist where she worked after sending her children off on their own. She maintained gorgeous flower beds and a garden in the summer and crocheted blankets of love during the winter months.
Doris was a member instrumental in forming the Laurel Chapter of TOPS, a member and leader of the Homemaker's Club, and a member of the local Bowling League. She was a Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout leader, active PTA member, and a creative crafter.
She was a perfectionist at her best raising gardens, flowers, children and others. She was a good cook, neighbor, and homemaker--never baking one pie or batch of cookies but many at a time. She was a self-made woman capable of keeping her husband's accounts, bookkeeping, taxes, and finances with only a limited high school education. She educated her children and helped them to do their homework at the dining room table while fixing dinner for the family. She was a "night owl" that kept busy long into the night from fixing stair steps or sewing an outfit to be worn the next day.
Doris is survived by all of her children. She has 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren that will miss "Mom Mom Castle" dearly.