Catherine “Kay” Castagna

Catherine “Kay” McNamara Castagna
Kay Castagna, beloved wife of the late John C. Castagna, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and loving caregivers on Monday, January 10, 2022, at the age of 89 years. She was born November 8, 1932, the 5th of seven children to Leo and Mary McNamara, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Her family moved to Chester in 1941 when she was 9 years old; she attended St. Michaels Catholic School, then went on to graduate at the top of her class in 1950 from Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Commercial School in Chester, PA. Kay owned and operated MAC’s News Carrier Service business, starting a bowling league for all her paperboys. She loved to remark how proud she was of each of her paperboys as they became community leaders.

In 1957 Kay married the love of her life, John C. Castagna, with whom she shared 62 anniversaries. She retired from the newspaper business and settled in Brookhaven to raise her four sons. With her boys and a gaggle of neighbor kids playing in her yard, Kay always maintained some sort of business involvement on the side. She enjoyed selling Amway products and helped chair the annual Our Lady of Charity Church Carnival for numerous years.

Kay was an avid golfer and bowled on both the OLC Church mixed league and the Women’s Wednesday league. For over 30 years, she organized trips to state and national woman’s bowling tournaments. The woman bowlers laughed and played across the US with fearless Kay at the wheel because she knew how much the chance to travel meant to all of her friends. Her grandchildren fondly remember the wonderful trips their Grandmom planned each year to the Jersey shore.

Organized, efficient, resourceful and ever full of energy, Kay embraced her life with an attitude of service. Whatever the need – a ride to the doctor, care-giving for young or old, tax preparation, a fresh haircut, home-repair advice or simply a shoulder to cry on – Kay was the trusted “go-to” person for family, friends and neighbors alike. Kay Castagna was an extraordinarily caring woman who used her business and organizational skills to help family, neighbors, and friends any way that she could. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and loved her.

She is predeceased by her parents Leo A. and Mary A. McDermott McNamara; her beloved husband John C. Castagna; her son James A. Castagna, and her siblings Robert, John, Joseph, Frank McNamara, and Mary McNamara Crowley.
She is survived by her sons John D. Castagna of Oreland, Joseph R. (Mary) Castagna of The Woodlands, TX, and Jeffrey T. (Lisa) Castagna of Seabrook, TX; her brother Leo McNamara of Brookville, FL; and her six grandchildren: Nico, Catherine, Rita, Christine, Paul, and Daniel; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for Kay and her husband John’s ashes will take place on Saturday (January 22, 2022) 11am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery, Linwood, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her name to Our Lady of Charity, 231 Upland Rd., Brookhaven, PA, 19015.
Arrangements by Bateman-Allen Funeral Home, 4220 Edgmont Ave., Brookhaven, PA, 19015. Online condolences can be sent via www.batemanfuneralhome.com