Linda Marlow Castle

An identical twin, Linda was born on February 27, 1937 in Washington, DC to Elizabeth and Ernest Marlow. She attended Bethesda Chevy Chase High School (MD) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Lawrence University (NY) in 1959. Always interested in science, she worked for Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City as a research lab assistant.

On February 20, 1960, she married Gray Castle. They raised four children living in New Canaan, CT and at their ski home on Bromley Mountain in Peru, VT. During those years, Linda was involved with the New Canaan Congregational Church and the New Canaan Field Club where she played tennis and paddle tennis, often winning tournaments. As a mother, Linda taught her children to ski, helped them with homework, and supported them in their extra-curricular activities. Linda and Gray were gracious hosts, opening their home to several students from A Better Chance, international tennis players, and a family who immigrated from Laos, in addition to welcoming all of their children’s friends for dinner or the weekend on a moment’s notice.

In 1992, they moved to Lexington, Virginia where Linda was President of the Board of Directors for the Yellow Brick Road Preschool and of her women’s investment club. During this time, she served as class agent (1959) and an alumni trustee for St. Lawrence University. Linda and Gray were also heavily engaged with Gray’s alma mater, Washington & Lee University, where they enjoyed traveling with friends and fellow alumni on trips organized by the university. Linda cherished her Lexington community which gave her so much love and support before and after Gray died.

Linda found love again a few years after Gray died, marrying her “cowboy” and Vermont neighbor, Jack Horner, who had been recently widowed. Together, Linda and Jack enjoyed skiing, going to the beach, traveling, and spending time with both of their families. She learned to flyfish and enjoyed time at the A Bar A Ranch in Wyoming with Jack and his family.

She lived her last six months at Sunrise Bluemont Park in Arlington, VA, where she was lovingly cared for by the staff.

Linda was predeceased by her first husband, Gray Castle, and her twin sister, Ann Lafabregue. She is survived by four children, Scot Castle of Maynard, Massachusetts (Jane, former wife), Carolyn Schmidt (Michael) of Arlington, Virginia, Steve Castle (Susan) of Alexandria, Virginia, and Becky Castle (Bob Clark) of Shelburne, Vermont; eight grandchildren, Matt Castle, Eric Schmidt, Heidi Schmidt, Sarah Gray Castle, Kate Castle, Lily Clark, Sunshine Clark, and Clark Clark; her loving husband of nearly 14 years, Jack Horner, who took such good care of her before and after her dementia progressed; Jack’s children, Barry Capistron (John), John Horner (Jane), and Carter Hardy (Rob), and Jack’s nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; her brother-in-law, John Lafabregue; sister-in-law, Debbie Castle Fountain; four nephews and one niece; and her caregivers of two years, Justine and Alvin Moore, in addition to a community of many friends from all phases of her life. She will be missed by all.

A memorial service will be held on March 26th at 10:30 AM at the Chapel on the campus of Episcopal High School, 1200 Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA followed by a reception at the home of Stephen and Susan Castle.

The family asks that memorial donations be made to the St. Lawrence University Class of 1959 Scholarship Fund, which she helped establish: https://alumni.stlawu.edu/make-an-online-gift, (Type “in memory of Linda Castle, Class of 1959 Scholarship Fund” in the additional information comment box). Checks can be mailed to St. Lawrence University, 23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY 13617. Please note Linda Castle/Class of 1959 Scholarship Fund in the memo.