Kerry Ann Castles, age 41 years, of Flemington, NJ, returned home to the arms of her Lord on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at home.

Born on August 25, 1980, in Somerville, NJ, daughter of Michael Thomas and Margaret Mary (Albe) Castles, Kerry was raised in Manchester, NJ, and had lived in Waretown, NJ, prior to moving to Flemington seven years ago.

Graduating from Manchester Township High School in 1998, she would go on to earn her BA in Education and Communication from the College of St. Elizabeth, Morris Township, NJ, in 2002. For many years she was a fourth grade teacher with the Berkeley Township, NJ school system, where she was regarded by all as an amazing teacher who truly advocated for every child.

Known by everyone as a kind and generous soul whose heart was always helping those in need, Kerry was the type who would give the shirt off her back if you said you liked it and it was this adage that she took literally as she would give her own blankets and clothing to others and go without herself. This was especially true after Hurricane Sandy, where Kerry was constantly helping both neighbors and strangers at her own expense. She lived by the motto of, “Pay It Forward”, and just simply enjoyed helping others however she was able.

With a quick wit and a zany ability to tell a story better than anyone, Kerry was proud of her Irish heritage and often would say “that’s shenanigans!”.  Kerry greatly enjoyed spending time reminiscing with her family and friends. Her ‘kids’ in school became her extended family, and she loved to see them grow and follow their dreams.

The oldest of all the grandchildren, she had a close relationship with her paternal grandfather, Thomas, who everyone called “Pop Pop”. They understood each other on the deepest of levels, even though their ages would have said otherwise. She was nine months pregnant with her son, Logan, when Thomas died in 2009. She truly felt that with his passing and her son being born, that God was showing her the circle of life and the importance of family.

If anyone wanted to pinpoint the true light in Kerry’s world, they need not look far as there was no doubt that Logan was it!  Kerry would tell anyone who would listen about her son, as she was so proud of his quick wit and sense of humor. She loved to brag about all his accomplishments, and always encouraged him to follow his heart and to never let anything stop him from pursuing his own dreams.  Kerry always told Logan to live, as she did, by the “Golden Rule”.

Though she struggled with anxiety and alcohol addiction, it certainly did not define Kerry’s life as she worked her way back out of those dark places. She truly came out into the light, with her soul healed, and more loving than ever.

Though her sudden passing will leave a void, the good that she put out into the world through her selflessness over the years will keep her light shining on those who miss her most but will surely see her again in a place where there is no pain, but only peace and hope.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Fred Albe and Josephine (Gorman) Albe; her paternal grandfather, Thomas Castles; her aunts, Anne Bennett and Sharon Wilson; her uncles, Joe Albe and Mike Picchiello; and her cousin, Joey Yashkas.

Surviving are her cherished son, Logan Michael Gumbaz; her parents, Mike and Maggie Castles; her brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Whitney Castles; her sister and brother-in-law, Sara and Antonio Renda; her paternal grandmother, Barbara Ann Brighton Castles; her dedicated companion, Scot Bennett; her nieces and nephews, Grace, Maggie, Ben, Romy, Ernie, and Lina; Logan’s father, Jason Gumbaz; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family; and many dear friends.

Kerry will lie in repose on Sunday, June 26, 2022, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ, with reflections by family at 4:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Timothy Christy will take place on Monday, June 27, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Monday morning beginning at 10:15 a.m. Please follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Interment in the family plot will follow at St. Magdalen Cemetery, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ, and to which all are welcome.

You are encouraged to visit Kerry’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to an education fund to support Logan’s higher educational needs. Please click HERE to be taken to Kerry’s personal donation page, or if you prefer to mail a check, please make it to ‘In Memory Of’ noting Kerry Castles in the memo and mailing to: In Memory Of, P.O. Box 5472, Charlottesville, VA 22905.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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