Jacquelyn Castleberry, 73

Jacquelyn “Jackie” Castleberry passed away into God’s loving arms Nov. 20, 2019, in Billings Clinic Hospital at the age of 73 after a brief battle with cancer.

She was at peace and surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

Jacquelyn was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Oct. 8, 1946, to Jack and Helen (Collins) Masterson. Her younger sister and best friend Nancy joined the family in 1949. They lived in Strongsville, Ohio, where Jackie graduated from St. Joe’s Academy in 1964 and St. John’s School of Nursing in 1967.

While working for the Ohio Turnpike in 1967, Jackie and her friend Mary Lou Rubel took a vacation to Virginia Beach, where she met a handsome U.S. Navy sailor named David Faxton Castleberry. Dave and Jackie were married on Feb. 17, 1968, in Strongsville, Ohio and lived in San Diego where Dave was stationed.

They welcomed son Michael Faxton on Aug. 8, 1969. Mike was born in Ohio, where Jackie lived with family while Dave was deployed to Vietnam. In November 1969, Dave, Jackie and Mike moved to Dave’s hometown of Glasgow, Mont., to work in the family beekeeping business.

They welcomed daughter Lyn Marie on Nov. 22, 1971. Dave and Jackie worked for, and later owned, Northern Bloom Honey in Glasgow for 25 years. Once her children were in high school, Jackie worked at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service Office and the City of Glasgow.

In 1995, Dave and Jackie moved to Whitefish, where Jackie worked for National Flood Service in Kalispell until her retirement in 2015. Dave and Jackie then moved back to Glasgow in 2015.

Jackie was a wonderful example of how God wanted us to live: full of love, kindness and compassion. She always put the needs of others before her own. Her children and grandchildren — along with other friends and family members — loved receiving the many, many handwritten letters and cards from Jackie. She never forgot a birthday or special occasion.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Helen; her in-laws, Faxton and June Castleberry; and Zettie Castleberry.

Jackie is survived by Dave, her husband of 52 years; her son Mike (Yvonne) Castleberry and their children Cale and Casey of Saskatoon, Canada; her daughter Lyn (Dean) Thompson and their children Trey, Taryn, and Teague of Libby; sister Nancy (Jim) Nagy of Strongsville, Ohio; sisters-in-law Diann (Ron) Hanson of Malta, Montana and Jan (Keith) Ivers of Libby; and many nieces and nephews.

Family received friends on Nov. 26 at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow, Montana. A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Nov. 27 at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church with Father Jose Valliparambril officiating. Burial followed at Highland Cemetery in Glasgow, Montana. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Francis Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow or your favorite charity.