Carol Marie West Castagna, 78, died on Thursday, June 11 at 2:00 p.m. at her daughter's home in Sugar City, Idaho. She had a short bout with cancer, but peacefully passed away. Until the end, she was surrounded with love from family and friends.

Carol was born March 12, 1931 in Provo, Utah to William Arthur West and Eunice Mae Hayes. She was the second of six daughters. For the first sixteen years of her life, Carol lived in Spanish Fork and Helper, Utah. She then moved with her family to Pacoima, California. On November 6, 1949, in Burbank, California, she married John Joseph Castagna, whom she had met in Helper, Utah. They lived in Sylmar, California for eleven years and then moved to Newhall, California where she lived for 36 years. She moved to Sugar City, Idaho in 2000, where she spent the last nine years of her life.

Carol filled her life with service to family and friends. A talented homemaker, she excelled in the arts of cooking, gardening, cake decorating, and crocheting. Not only did she use her talents domestically, but she also put those talents to use participating in the scouting program for 25 years, where she received the Silver Beaver Award for her achievements. She also worked for fifteen years in the food service department of the William S. Hart Union High School District in Newhall, California.

Carol enjoyed spending time with her family, whether it was watching her grandsons play sports, sleep overs with the grandkids, playing card and board games, sightseeing rides, and eating out at favorite restaurants. She also had a deep love for cats and pug dogs. Carol truly was happiest giving to others.

Carol was also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in various positions all her life, and especially found joy working in the laundry room at the Rexburg Idaho Temple, and being a visiting teacher. Two of her other hobbies were crocheting baby blankets for the humanitarian society of her church and attending the group, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Carol is survived by her husband John Castagna and three children, John (Pam) Castagna, Patrice (Roland) Wilding, David (Karen) Castagna; thirteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two cats named Miley and Milo, and a pug named Daja Su. Her parents and three of her sisters, Hazel, Naomi, and Betsy preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2009 at the Sugar City 4th Ward with Bishop Troy Spratling officiating. The family will receive friends Friday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Burial will be in the Sugar City Cemetery.

Carol will be missed by all those who were privileged to know her, whether it was for a lifetime or just a few moments. She left a wealth of memories and lessons that will live on through her loved ones. Mom, grandma, sister, friend, we love you and look forward to eating berries and cream with you in your garden in heaven.