Margaret Mary DiDomenico (Bootsie to her family) was born in Baltimore Maryland on November 3, 1928. She died a few weeks before her 91st birthday on October 10, 2019.

 

Margaret grew up on Saint Albans Way in Homeland, the carefree only child of Joseph DiDomenico, a prominent lawyer, judge, and political activist, and Lillian Apicella, a homemaker. She attended Cathedral grade school, Notre Dame Prep, and two years of Notre Dame college, majoring in English. DiDi to her school friends, Margaret was intelligent, beautiful, and the life of the party. She remained all three until her final days.

 

While in high school, Margaret's cousin, Ben Apicella, introduced her to Joseph (Joe) Castoro. Starry eyed and totally smitten, Margaret learned to play golf, Joe's passion. During WW II she waited for him while he flew combat missions over Germany and Austria. On October 2, 1948, Margaret and Joe married. Ten months later, their daughter Lillian (Lilli) Carmela was born. Their son, Charles (Chuck) Joseph followed two years later.

 

Margaret was the consummate helicopter mom years before the term became popular. She expected A grades, perfect behavior, and competent athletic performances from her children. She was an enthusiastic PTA volunteer. With her bright smile and winning personality, she proved the champion fundraiser. She never lost her fundraising abilities, bragging that she made more money than everyone else selling cookies at her senior living charity events.

 

Margaret was a good cook, not only preparing meals for her family, but also cooking homemade specialties for her husband's diner, which he owned for a few years in the 60's. Her meatballs and red sauce were two customer favorites. Her apple pie and meatloaf recipes are now in the capable hands of her granddaughters.

 

In her early fifties Margaret decided to get an office job. With her oldest grandson in tow, she interviewed at Noxell in Timonium. For over 10 years, Margaret was the assistant to the Vice President of International Sales for Covergirl. To hear her tell it, she ran the place, and the Covergirl salesforce at the time confirmed it. Her granddaughters enjoyed the spoils, wearing Covergirl makeup when they played dress-up in her furs and jewelry.

 

Margaret was competitive to the max, whether playing bridge, Wii bowling, mahjong, or bingo! When doing jigsaw puzzles at the shore with her grandchildren, she'd often stay up all night to finish a puzzle. If she succumbed to sleep, she'd take a piece and hide it in her room, so in the morning she could revel in completing the puzzle.

 

When Joe retired, Margaret and he spent a few winters in Florida followed by twelve years full time on Skidaway Island in Georgia. As Joe's health started to fail, they moved back to Maryland to be near their son, granddaughters, and great grandchildren. After Joe died in 2012, her family continued to be a source of joy.

 

When she wasn't socializing, Margaret entertained herself reading, watching movies, playing computer solitaire, and solving sudoku puzzles. An avid sports fan, she watched hours of tennis, as well as college and pro football and basketball. Her favorite players where often the underdogs, as she rarely had a kind word for Tom Brady, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and especially Peyton Manning, who quarterbacked for her beloved Colts, whom she never forgave for moving from Baltimore to Indianapolis.

 

Margaret loved a party. When there was no party, happy hour sufficed. She introduced her grandchildren to the happy hour tradition. One of their fondest memories is imbibing nonalcoholic beverages in fancy glasses while Granny enjoyed her martini. A week before taking her final breath, she requested a vodka martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. Salute.

 

Margaret is survived by her daughter Lilli Filichia (married to Thomas Van Vleck), her son Charles Castoro (married to Patricia Porter), her four grandchildren Jason Filichia (married to Denisa Marcisovska), Jennifer Ercolano (married to Joseph), Elizabeth Varanko, and Jesse Van Vleck (married to Gabrielle Barnett), and her great granddaughters Tessa Ercolano, Maeva Ercolano, Cecilia Varanko, and Stella Ercolano.

 

The family would like to thank the residents at Avondell for being such good friends to Margaret throughout her time there. In her final weeks, her nurses and other caregivers were truly wonderful. And a special thank you to those who reached out and helped Margaret with her spiritual wellbeing.

 

Margaret did not want traditional funeral services. We ask that you honor her by raising a glass or think of her when doing something that makes you smile.