Mary Jo Castrantas, of Philadelphia, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Temple University Hospital. She was 52.

Born in Trenton, NJ, she was the daughter of Joan Wallace Castrantas and the late Harry M. Castrantas of Newtown. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Alexander James Castrantas.

Mary Jo was a 1979 graduate of Council Rock High School. She married in July 1980 and traveled to New Zealand, where she accompanied her husband for a three month Chiropractic externship. Following graduation, they moved to just outside of Seattle, WA, where she began taking college courses. After traveling abroad for about a year, Mary Jo returned to Pennsylvania and eventually pursued a career as a paralegal and graduated with honors from Manor College. She worked for many years for a Philadelphia law firm specializing in legal claims linked to asbestosis. Eventually she was not content to sit behind a desk, and went back to school to pursue a career as a nursing assistant.

Mary Jo had a passion for painting, and excelled both in oil and watercolor. However, the legacy she leaves is that of a giver. She always took care of others first, and would do without to provide for someone else. This continued after her passing, as she is giving people a second chance and better quality of life through the Gift of Life Donor Program. She was a much loved daughter, sister, mother and friend, and will be dearly missed.

In addition to her mother, Mary Jo is survived by her sister: Christine Zerrer of Pacifica, CA; her brothers: Mark E. Castrantas and his wife Lorraine of Richboro, PA and Paul D. Castrantas of Philadelphia, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 3:00 pm in the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, 1505 Makefield Rd., Morrisville, PA 19067, and are invited to visit with the family immediately after the service.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA, P.O. Box 277, Lahaska, PA 18931.