Yvonne Lee Castleberry

Yvonne Lee (Schutz) Castleberry, 84, unexpectedly ascended from our world on October 7th, 2021.

Yvonne was born in Tacoma, May 8, 1937, and spent her childhood in the McCleary, Elma and Tacoma areas.  While working behind the handkerchief counter at the Tacoma People’s Store, she met a fellow co-worker from the drapery department, Eugene (Gene) Castleberry. Together, they created a love story that lasted 64 beautiful years.

They moved from Washington to Montana to Colorado developing Gene’s retail career with each move until settling in Idaho 4 years ago. It was family persuasion that finally prompted a return to Washington state, specifically Puyallup, where Gene and Yvonne settled 5 days before Yvonne’s sudden passing. Yvonne was always by his side, always supportive.  With her many talents, she was best known as the “hostess with the mostess”. She loved to cook, entertain, and decorate inside and outside for every holiday. Yvonne was an avid reader, cribbage player, jigsaw puzzle solver, Denver Bronco fan, collector of bears and bunnies, and one did not want to interrupt her during Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. She worked part time as a window dresser, assistant to a real estate developer and packager for Leaning Tree card company.  Cards for every occasion were of utmost importance. Don’t dare forget a birthday – “One should always have time to send a card,” she would say. Her creativity led to making her own cards for each of us for years.  Yvonne was a regular attendee and active member of the Catholic Church wherever they lived.

She was a loving, caring wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Yvonne is survived by her husband, Gene, two daughters, Chris and Stacey, and their husbands, Rick and Craig, 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, 2 step brothers and 2 step sisters.

There will be a celebration of life on November 7th @ 12:30pm at the home of Chris and Rick Hite at 421 - 7th Ave NW, Puyallup, WA 98371.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations in Yvonne’s name to Catholic Community Services (CCS) @ www.ccsww.org or by sending a check to CCS-Home Delivered Meals at 5705 Main St. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.

Please leave online condolences for the family at https://www.powersfuneralhome.com/obituary/Yvonne-Castleberry (not available on a mobile device).

“When I am gone, release me,

For I am at peace, you see.

Married 64 beautiful years,

Our moments to hold dear.

Travel, cribbage games, evening routines,

Morning wake ups, Jeopardy, and everything in between.

Don’t dwell on thoughts that cause you pain,

Focus on seeing each other once again.

I gave you my love and you gave me yours.

We nurtured each other – our loyalty and love endures.

The journey I’m on we must all someday take,

When it’s quiet and you feel lonesome,

Don’t let your heart break.

Instead, look in the eyes of our daughters,

Focus on our everlasting laughter.

Celebrate our grandchildren’s good cheer,

And though you will not see or touch me, I will be near.

But now I must go alone.

You to your new home and I to my own.

Creating new memories that we can later share,

When together again we are a pair.”