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Shirley D. Castor was born March 20, 1929 in Red Owl, SD to Harry and Grace Smith and passed away July 3, 2006. Shirley married Thomas J. Castor August 14, 1948. They were married 54 years when Tom passed away December 2002. Shirley and Tom had four surviving children, Kathleen and Mark Hoffman of Tampa, FL, Lou and Denise Castor of Sundance, WY, Tom and Cathy Castor of Niota, TN, and Leslie Joy and Tom Dent of Albuquerque, NM; four grandchildren, Charlie, Carrie, Connie, and Amy Jo; three foster children, Adrien, Izaac, and Daisy; six great-grandchildren, Preston, Gabe, Nate, Kaleb, Alex, Karisa, and a baby boy on the way. Shirley was preceded in death by her sister, Gwen Beaudin of Colorado Springs, CO; and her sister-in-law, Ursala Smith of West End, NC. She began her teaching career in 1948 in a 1-room school house north of Belle Fourche. Shirley attended Black Hills State College earning a BS in education in 1961. She taught 1st and 2nd grades for 29 years in Lead, SD; Knoxville, TN; and Albuquerque, NM. After retiring in 1990 she and Tom returned to Spearfish, SD. Shirley's strength, perseverance, and work ethic made an impression on those who met her. She was often seen walking around Spearfish and was a frequent visitor of the Grace Balloch Memorial Library. She was a gardener, quilter, and according to family and friends the best chocolate chip cookie maker. Shirley will be remembered for her dedication to her family and for being the best friend anyone could ask for.
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