Mary Kay was born June 1, 1929, in Ann Arbor, MI, the daughter of Harry & Alberta Mitchell of Port Arthur, Texas. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas in 1947. Mary lived in the Groves for 32 years before moving to Bridge City in 1982 when she resided for 40 years. She moved to live with her oldest daughter, Kathy and husband, Jerry Mercer, in October 2022 at Rayburn Country. Mary retired from JC Penney’s, where she worked from 9-29-69 to 12-31-81 in layaway and giftwrapping.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Tony J Castino, and her parents.

Mary is survived by her five children: Johnny Castino and wife Connie Bryan Castino of Beaumont, Texas; Dr. Joe Castino of Eugene, Oregon; Kathy Castino Mercer and husband, Jerry Mercer of Brookeland, Texas; Jimmy Castino and wife, Vicki Robison Castino of Brookeland, Texas; and Pam Castino Hebert and husband, Todd Hebert of Bridge City, Texas.

Also, surviving are her eight grandchildren: Angie Mercer and Robert Hayden of Brookeland, Texas; Melanie Mercer of Nacogdoches, Texas; Cecy Castino Marino and husband, Alex Marino of Anaheim Hills CA; Troy Cooley and wife Ashley Schriewer Cooley of San Antonio, Texas; Aaron Castino and wife Brooke Henry Castino of Orange, Texas; Bryan Castino of Beaumont, Texas; Ashley Castino Pondrom and husband, Jason Pondrom of Dallas; and Sean Cooley & Kristen Walling of Eureka California. Mary has nine great grandchildren: Jerry Smith of Nacogdoches, Texas; Brystol and Brylee Castino of Orange, Texas; Isla Marino of Anaheim Hills CA; Hudson and Parker Cooley of San Antonio, Texas; and Drew, Riley and Blake Pondrom of Dallas, Texas.

Mary was an only child, but she had many nieces and nephews on Tony’s side of the family, who adored and loved her as an Aunt. Mary earned an Associate’s degree in Business from Lon Morris Community College in Jacksonville, Texas. Mary loved gardening, making floral arrangements, decorating her house, giftwrapping, sewing, square dancing, traveling and visiting friends, neighbors and family. Mary was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church where she participated in Altar Society, preparing and coordinating funeral meals, served as Eucharistic Minister and volunteered with Ministerial Alliance.

Mary lived her long life to the fullest each and every day and was a loving friend, neighbor and role model. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, who enjoyed life to the fullest and loved her family very much.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 2, 2023, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens in Nederland. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Pallbearers are: Troy Cooley, Aaron Castino, Bryan Castino, Sean Cooley, Jerry Smith, and Jason Pondrom.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to: St. Henry’s Altar Society at PO BOX 427, Bridge City, Texas 77611 or (409) 735-2422.