Mary Jean Castellano

Mary Jean D'Agostino entered the world on July 18, 1923. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the first child of Italian immigrants, Amerigo and Philomena D'Agostino. Mary soon became the loving sister to her brother, Anthony.

Mary met the love of her life, Carmine Castellano, during the Second World War. They were married on September 14, 1944. After the war Mary and Carmine welcomed their four children over the years: Angela (Robert Ettenger), Lynne (Vincent DeLaurentis), June (Brian Kane), and Anthony (Ellen Garrott).

Mary Castellano’s greatest joy was always her extended family - her 14 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, as well as her many nieces and nephews.

Mary and Carmine enjoyed over 76 happy years together, until her dear Carmine passed away in 2021. They enjoyed hosting holidays and many parties that gathered everyone together. Family was always her focus and served as her greatest legacy.

Mary was best known for her avid love of crossword puzzles (The New York Times) and very competitive skill at Scrabble. She could easily beat any opponent by at least 30 points every game. Mary started baking pies as teachers’ gifts in the 1950’s. Relatives still talk about her chocolate cream pies! Her Easter meat pie (pizza rustica) has seen no match. She loved baking Christmas cookies with her children, and later her grandchildren, many of whom continue this tradition.

Faith and prayer were foundational for Mary. She said a daily Rosary and faithfully read her Magnificat to study and reflect on the Scriptures as she navigated the sufferings inherent in living a long life.

On January 18, 2023, at home surrounded by family, at the age of 99 and a half, Mary went home to the Lord. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John Neumann Catholic Church (9000 Warfield Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20882) on Thursday, January 26, 2023.

Visitation and viewing will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:30 a.m. Live-Stream is available HERE. Interment will be immediately after at All Souls Cemetery (11401 Brink Rd, Germantown, MD 20876).

Donations, in her name, may be sent to Marians of the Immaculate Conception (3885 Harewood Rd, NE, Washington, DC 20017). Flowers are welcomed and should be sent to the church.