Jane Marie DeCastro Cahill - 27 East
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Obituaries / Southampton Press / 1743669

Jane Marie DeCastro Cahill

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Jane Marie DeCastro Cahill

Jane Marie DeCastro Cahill

author27east on Dec 17, 2020

Jane Marie DeCastro Cahill lived for 55 years in her home in Holbrook, New York, until she passed away peacefully on December 7, 2020 from Kidney Cancer at the age of 83.

Jane was born on November 26, 1937, the oldest daughter of Astrid and Gordon DeCastro of Sag Harbor, New York. She was the Valedictorian of the class of 1955 from Pierson High School. Jane attended Albany Teachers College, where she graduated Cum Laude in 1959 and completed her formal education in 1983 when she received her master’s degree from SUNY Stonybrook. Janes career as a teacher of mathematics spanned 55 years. She began teaching at Smithtown High School and she retired in 2003 from the Academy of Saint Joseph in Brentwood. After her retirement she continued to tutor math students.

Jane believed that teaching students to count was important but teaching students to live well, was the cornerstone of a successful life. Jane spent many hours creating new ways to inspire her students and develop solutions to assist students learn complex mathematical concepts. She often used mathematics to help students to think about their lives. One of her favorite quotes was: “Zero is better than a negative.” In essence, it’s better not to have something in your life at all, if it is going to impact you negatively.

Jane was a true explorer. She traveled extensively throughout her life and she always wanted to know what was “around the next bend in the road.” Her favorite destinations included: Bermuda, Sweden, London, Mackinac Island, Alaska, Maine and California.

Jane was an avid collector of fine English China and Irish linen and curtains. She loved the simple elegance of a finely appointed table, particularly around the holidays.

Jane was well-known for her love of Christmas. Decorating, cooking and shopping for Christmas gifts brought Jane a great deal of joy. She loved finding a special gift for someone particularly during one of her travel excursions. Every Christmas Eve, you could always find Jane celebrating the birth of Christ at the Sacred Heart Chapel at the Academy of Saint Joseph with her children, grandchildren, students, friends and with the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Jane is Pre-deceased by her husband Joseph John Cahill of Holbrook, her brother Basil “Pete” DeCastro of Springs, and her sister Nancy Merrit of Sag Harbor. Jane is survived by her sister Diane Scholtz of Naples, Florida, her son John Anthony Cahill of Massapequa, her daughter Katherine Ann Cahill of Port Jefferson and her grandchildren: John Patrick Cahill, Michael Anthony Cahill, Joseph John Cahill, Olivia Kaitlin Cahill, Maya Janaè Shand, and Ciara Cecile Cannon.

We have learned more from you then we ever did in school: not facts but truths; not theory but wisdom; not how to think but how to live. You have been a shining example of a life well-lived and a life well-loved. We are all forever grateful to you. Rest well in the loving arms of God until we meet again…

The family has requested that any tributes to Janes memory be donations to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, 1725 Brentwood Road, Building 4, Brentwood, NY 11717, care of Sister Helen Kearney or Hour Children, Inc. 36-11 12th St, Long Island City, NY 11006.

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