Sister Eleanor studied, taught in Omaha

Sister of Mercy Mary Eleanor Castle, whose 68 years of religious life included work as a teacher, principal and caregiver, died July 22 in Omaha. She was 87.

A funeral Mass was held July 26 at St. Peter Church in Marshall, Missouri. Interment will follow at Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Shackelford, Missouri.

A native of Shackelford, Sister Eleanor entered religious life in 1950. She professed first vows in 1953 and final vows in 1956. 

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from College of Saint Mary in Omaha and a Master of Arts degree in administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She spent the majority of her ministry in education, primarily in Missouri. She was a teacher and administrator at Catholic schools in Kansas City, Marshall, Joplin, Cape Girardeau, Blue Springs and Glasgow, all in Missouri.

She also taught at schools in Iowa and Colorado, and at St. Margaret Mary School in Omaha in 1971-72.

“Sister Eleanor loved teaching primary grades as well as doing remedial reading with any student who needed more help,” said longtime friend and fellow Sister of Mercy Eva Fritz. “She was loved by her students and respected by her peers in the classroom.”

After teaching for 39 years, Sister Eleanor ministered as a caregiver for the elderly for seven years at CSJ Home Care in Kansas City, Missouri.

She returned to the Archdiocese of Omaha in January 2019 and resided at Mercy Villa until her death. Sister Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, William and Winifred Castle; brothers, Glenn, Leo and William, Jr.; and sisters, Patricia Campbell and Jean Burnside. She is survived by her fellow Sisters of Mercy; sister, Sara Morris; brother, Bill Castle; and many nieces and nephews.