Florence Marie Castle

Florence Marie Castle was born in LaSalle, Illinois, on May 13, 1916, to Julia Delphine Coleman Caskey and Harry Field Caskey. On April 04, 2019, Florence passed away at her home on Del Curto Road with caregivers present. She was the youngest of three children. From oldest to youngest, the siblings were Homer and Wayne both of whom preceded Florence in death.

Florence was fortunate to have begun her study of piano at six years of age. In seventh grade she had the privilege and good fortune to study with Hugh C. Price.

In 1935-36 she was enrolled at the University of Michigan studying piano with Maude Okkelberg.

At Illinois Wesleyan University, where she joined Delta Omicron music sorority, she majored in piano and minored in pipe organ. She received the Bachelor of Music Degree in 1937 and Master of Music Degree in 1941.

While attending Illinois Wesleyan University, she met her future husband, Joseph Donovan Castle. They were married on August 25, 1938, and moved to Austin, Texas, on January 25, 1939.

Florence worked as a piano accompanist, piano teacher, church pianist, and church organist for most of her life.

She was studio accompanist for the University of Texas Voice Department from 1939 for several years. She was the pianist and coordinator for the Congregational Church of Austin piano trio from 1938-1953 and again from 1987-2003. Her organ employment started in 1953 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She then was at Tarrytown Methodist Church from 1954-1971 and Faith United Methodist Church from 1973-1987. She was a long-time member of the Wednesday Morning Music Club.

She also worked as a volunteer and played the piano for the Senior Sing-a-long at South Austin Senior Activity Center from 2002-2007.

Along with her musical gift she had other gifts which include her unfailing devotion to family and kind words coupled with sincere friendship with many.

Florence will be keenly missed by her son Paul Wesley Castle of Austin, Texas. Also grieving her passing are her niece Virginia Keer of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, her niece Carol Kay of Chicago, Illinois, her nephew Wayne Caskey of Towson, Maryland, and her niece Norma Stein of Lynchburg, Virginia.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Congregational Church of Austin, 408 West 23rd Street, at 3:00 pm. Parking is available at the CO-OP garage across the street from the church on the southwest corner of San Antonio and 23rd Street.

In lieu of flowers, Florence requested any interested parties to make a donation to Meals on Wheels Central Texas.