Our creative, witty mom, Lorraine A. Castell, passed away December 21, 2023, just a few weeks after turning 90 years of age. Born to Warren Russell and Alice Sarah (O’Brien) in San Francisco, Lorraine was raised in Noe Valley with her siblings Warren Jr., Raymond, and Beverly. As a little girl she won a “Shirley Temple Look-alike Contest” put on by a local department store - the prize being a winter coat - and later in life met Ms. Temple in person at a book signing.
Lorraine moved to San Mateo in the late 1950’s and raised three children on her own, with much tenacity and humour. We joke that she did a good job because none of us were ever arrested (that she knew of).
Lorraine began volunteering at North Shoreview Elementary School’s library, and was awarded Outstanding Volunteer of the Year by the PTA. She went onto become the librarian, leading story time, helping tutor students in need of extra encouragement with their reading skills, and generally enjoying the natural energy and curiosity of the students. She also taught CCD at St. Timothy’s Church. Subsequently she worked for the District Attorney’s Office of San Mateo County for over 20 years before retiring.
Lorraine loved music, dancing (from tap to country line), gardening, baking, and sharing a good laugh and a cup of tea. She had a gift of writing poetry, and although she was not able to obtain her dream of one day reading her creations at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, she did win first place at the Eureka County Fair in 1990 for one of her rodeo-themed poems.
Lorraine’s Irish eyes were almost always smiling and she had a heart for those less fortunate. She was pre-deceased by her parents and brothers, and leaves behind her children: Rex Castell, Monique Harris (James), and Luke Castell. She is also survived by her sister Beverly, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family gives our deepest appreciation for the superb care given to our mom these last years at Pacific Care Home in San Mateo, especially to Moddie and Borj for their endless TLC.
A young boy once told her “Mrs. Castell, you are kind, and you are lovely” and that is how we will forever carry her memory in our hearts.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.