Nancy Elizabeth Kennedy Castillo, beloved daughter, sister, friend, and dog mom, of Ponte Vedra, FL., passed away unexpectedly in her home on September 14, 2022. Nancy was born on December 18, 1959, in Raleigh, NC where she grew up and is still loved and remembered by her family and many friends.
Nancy graduated from Ravenscroft High School, where she excelled in making friends for life, was a leader on the volleyball and women’s tennis teams and earned the Senior Superlative of “Most Fun.” She earned a BS in Psychology from the University of NC at Charlotte and continued to make lifelong friends as a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and as an athlete. After college, she returned to Raleigh, NC and worked for a brief time in her family’s business, Kennedy Office, until moving to Atlanta, GA where she advanced her sales career and dabbled in modeling. She met a handsome attorney, the man of her dreams, Hal Stephen Castillo, Sr., and followed him to Jacksonville, FL. Nancy and Hal were married in 1989 and she has called Ponte Vedra her home since then. Nancy built a successful career in business product sales and thrived largely because she focused on developing relationships and serving those who depended on her. She loved her many loyal customers and work family at Mister Paper Business Products.
Being with family and friends was Nancy’s greatest joy. This included her furry companions, Max and Champ, as well as neighbors and customers. She generously enjoyed hosting a festive gathering, baking pecan pies to share at Christmas, and being first at the door with a casserole when a friend was in need. Her presence alone was as bright as her colorful décor, art, and clothing. She spoke her mind and never left you guessing about how she felt about anything. Nancy loved spending time on her porch, at the beach, and taking long power walks. She was a sports enthusiast, an especially big fan of professional tennis and football. Nancy was funny…..She had a way of describing something that made you laugh out loud.
Nancy will be missed dearly by her sister, Mary Catherine Kennedy Sigmon and her husband, William Hill Sigmon, Jr. of Raleigh; brother, Charles Hugh Kennedy, Jr. and his wife Helen McWhorter Kennedy of Raleigh; her nephews: Lt. William Hill Sigmon, III and his wife, Mallory Cavanagh Sigmon of Norfolk VA, Thomas Marsh Sigmon of Raleigh, and Charles Hugh Kennedy, III; and niece, Waverly Dix Kennedy of Raleigh; Hal’s daughter: Laurie Castillo Paul and her husband, Anthony John Paul and their daughters: Georgia Anne Paul and Halle Marie Paul of Fargo, ND; Hal’s son: Hal Stephen Castillo, II and his wife, Juleny Cedeno Castillo and their daughter, Mila Alex Castillo of Jacksonville, FL. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Eleanor Kinsinger Kennedy and Charles Hugh Kennedy, as well as her loving husband Hal.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 22, at 11am at The Lodge and Club in the Ocean Room, 607 Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service.
A memorial service will also be held on Friday, November 18th at 2pm at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC, followed by a visitation reception.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Nancy Kennedy Castillo to Jacksonville Humane Society, 8464 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32216; SPCA of Wake Co., 200 Petfinder Ln., Raleigh, NC 27603; or, White Memorial Presbyterian Church, c/o Finance Manager, 1704 Oberlin Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608.
