Obituary of Annie Kastelz

Annie Lou Kastelz, 91, entered into eternal peace on September 18, 2014 after a brief illness.

Born in St. Augustine, Florida in 1922, she moved with her family to Jacksonville in 1957.

A dutiful daughter, loving wife, devoted mother and doting grandmother, her family was always her greatest joy and proudest accomplishment.

She was a founding member and lifelong congregant of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where she served on the Altar Guild and was Acolyte Mother for years while her sons served the church in that capacity.

Always putting the needs of her family first, she waited until later in life to pursue higher education, obtaining an Associate of Arts Degree from Florida Community College at Jacksonville in 1988 at age 66.

She was warmly accepted by the students and faculty alike and was an inspiration to her much younger classmates.

She was subsequently inducted into Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity and was listed among "Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges" for 1988-1989.

An ongoing desire to learn and share led her to extensive volunteer work, mostly notably as a tutor in several area elementary schools. She received a special designation in 2007, from Arlington Elementary School, for "Outstanding Service" for her selfless efforts.

She was also an active participant in the Jacksonville "Learn To Read Program", serving as tutor and mentor.

A life long love of poetry brought her much joy. Although she shared some of her poems with family and close friends, she primarily wrote for her own pleasure. One of her poems was published in 1981, "Celebrating The Joys of Becoming A Grand Mother", shortly after the birth of her first grandchild.

She was an active member of several chapters of the "Red Hat Society" until deteriorating health forced her to curtail her activities.

Crossword puzzles were another of her passions and she completed two a day up until her final illness.

She was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 58 years, William Lawrence Kastelz; a son, Thomas Michael Kastelz; Parents, Thomas Leonard and Alaska Lillian Pearre; and loving grand mother and name sake, Annie Baxter.

Survivors include her son, William Lawrence Kastelz, Jr.; daughter, Cynthia Anne Bennett; grandsons, Thomas Michael, Jr. (Heather) and William Thomas (Samantha) Kastelz; great grand daughters, Talia Jade and Ava Lauren Kastelz and her special friend, Robert Chastain.

A loving and gracious lady, she lived a life of grace and quiet humility, serving as a shining example to all who were blessed to know her.

Visitation will be 6-8 pm, Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Arlington Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida with her funeral service to be held, 11:00am, Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 2961 University Blvd., North. Interment to immediately follow at Arlington Park Cemetery

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Arlington Park Funeral Home. (904) 724-6384.