CARMEL, Ind. — Mary Nicastro, 57, passed away Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
She was born Feb. 12, 1965, in Niles, the daughter of the late Gale Fenton and Carmellia Frances Altiere Shinaberry.
She married her high school sweetheart, Mark Nicastro, on Aug. 16, 1986. Mary started baton twirling with the Niles Scot-Eres, and by age 12, took the trip of a lifetime to Europe performing and touring in Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. In high school, she was a majorette and played trumpet in the concert band. She also played softball and helped tally a two-season record of 37-7 and the title of sectional champions, while graduating in the top 10 percent of her class.
Mary received her degree as a radiology technician, which opened the door to a long, rewarding career allowing her to care for others. Over the past 10 years, she found her true passion in private care. Mary was first and foremost a dedicated, loving wife and mother, and she was so excited for the arrival of her first granddaughter, Eva, due in May. She was always quick to volunteer for the PTA, chair various fundraisers, manage the concession stand for soccer games and could be found on the sidelines coaching her daughters in soccer and softball. Mary continued to demonstrate her athletic ability in her love of golfing; but her competitiveness was clearly evident in playing any game, especially cards.
She was an active member of St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, where she and Mark would counsel newly engaged couples. Her love for others carried over into her volunteer work, which included the Schwarz Cancer Center, even while she was undergoing chemotherapy.
Mary was an avid traveler and especially loved trips with her family. While Disney was a routine stop, ski trips to Colorado and Utah were slowly replaced with more tropical destinations, like Hawaii and the Caribbean. In recent years, the frequency of travel significantly increased to include a couple Buckeye bowl games, such as the 2014 National Championship.
Mary and Mark renewed their vows on their 35th wedding anniversary, in Turks and Caicos, with their immediate family on hand to bear witness.
Mary had a profound reverence for the love and support she received from the doctors, nurses, technicians, family and friends that were the wind beneath her wings.
She is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Mark Nicastro; two daughters, Amanda (Michael) Ahern and Brittany Nicastro; sister, Diana (Barry) Greenspan; brother, Dennis (Lynda) Shinaberry; nieces and nephew, Jaclyn (Jonathan) Kleber, Nicholas (Emma) Donadio and Taylor (Jeffery) Scott; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, 1870 W. Oak St., Zionsville, Ind.
Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, at Flanner Buchanan – Hamilton Memorial Park (Prairie Waters), 4180 Westfield Road, Westfield, Ind.; and also, one hour prior to the Mass Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Schwarz Cancer Center, (if donating online, please select IU Health North Hospital, then select Schwarz Cancer Center), 11645 N. Illinois St. Carmel, IN 46032, or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.
(special notice)
