Obituary of Margaret Ellen Lord Castendyck

Margaret Ellen Lord Castendyck of Pompano Beach, FL, died January 2, 2021, at the age of 95. She was born in Davenport, IA, on June 22, 1925, to Mary Gertrude Lord and Merritt Manny Lord. Margaret attended Davenport High School and was awarded a scholarship in 1943 to attend Knox College in Galesburg, IL. At Knox Margaret studied Mathematics and served as an active member of Pi Beta Phi. She also met Robert Castendyck upon his return to Knox after WWII, and the two married after their graduation in 1947. The Castendycks moved to Evanston, IL, where Margaret worked for the Chicago City Schools and Robert attended Northwestern University Law School. The couple built their lives in Sterling, IL, where Robert practiced law and Margaret lived a life of service to her family and the community. Margaret served as an Elder, Deacon and Clerk of Session for First Presbyterian Church in Sterling and worked to further the mission of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Education Organization), promoting education for women. They raised two daughters and upon Robert’s retirement enjoyed extensive travels throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and Central America. Robert and Margaret moved to John Knox Village in 2010. Margaret served on the Elder and Family support team for the Woodlands, was a member of the John Knox Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow, and was an involved participant in resident leadership. She continued active membership in P.E.O. and enjoyed water aerobics and weekly bridge games. Her spirit of friendship, love and influence in the community will be greatly missed. Margaret is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Robert William Castendyck, her grandson Allan Repass and son-in-law Andy Repass. Her passing is mourned by her sister Louise Lord Johnson, daughters Carol Castendyck Ripley and Ellen Castendyck Repass, son-in-law John Ripley, grandchildren Corrina Repass Sprung, Amanda Ripley and Robert Ripley, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their families. A graveside service will be held in Sterling, IL, in June 2021. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First Presbyterian Church of Sterling, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale or the John Knox Village Foundation of Pompano Beach, FL, for the Aquatics Complex. Memorials may be sent to Schilling Funeral Home, PO Box 592, Sterling, IL 61081 and will be forwarded to the family or churches accordingly.