Courtney Deanna Castelhano

On October 23, 2020, Courtney Deanna Castelhano decided it was time to take her "funniest and prettiest person in the room" reputation and spread her sunshine with others in another place. Courtney's journey began in Rockport Missouri on July 12, 1972, when she was born to John Ciminski and the late Shirley Ciminski. Matthew Trevena, her older brother of 12 years was also there to greet her and remain in her life as a role model and friend to this day. Eventually Courtney and her family made their way to Arizona in 1978 where she would grow into the amazingly loving, determined, passionate, beautiful, and of course funny person that she became. Later in Courtney's adolescent year's she was brought together with her stepsister Dawn (Jones) Lapham who she quickly grew close to and spent countless hours with in the early years of her life.

The Glendale school system was changed forever as she and a tight circle of friends began their journey through elementary and eventually high school where the "Kool-Aid Kids" would leave their mark. Some of that same group moved on with her to Northern Arizona University, where she became a Lumberjack and began her journey to becoming a teacher, appropriate for someone who gave everything she had to help kids. She would eventually obtain four degrees (Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education, Masters in Counseling and Administration) from NAU over the years and made sure to constantly remind her family that her "big brain" was behind these four degrees of hers. The only thing she mentioned more was how many places in Europe she had visited on a band trip in high school. College is also where she would meet Jon Castelhano, her future husband, and father of their two children Brayden and Madalyn. Jon claims to this day that he ignored Courtney when they first met until they had to pile into his small truck to attend a bonfire where they quickly bonded and began an over 20-year discussion on who was the funnier person. After her time at NAU was over she returned to Phoenix and began another chapter with life-long friends she met while in college. The north side of town was never the same as the "Girls On Greenway" lived it up while beginning their careers and remained forever friends.

Courtney's mom passed when she was very young but made a lasting impression on her that shaped her for the rest of her life. She took the love, compassion, and the ability to party plan and shop like no other and instilled that in Brayden and Madalyn. All of her amazing attributes are evident in them and will remain with them forever. Brayden's quiet determination and a deep sense of care for others and Madalyn's passion for art and creativity and her ability to shop like a pro will bring an everlasting smile to their faces. Courtney's memory will remain in all those that she touched throughout her life, and she would want everyone to focus on the positivity, laughter, and love in their lives.

There will be a private family service for Courtney in the near future and a Celebration of Life for her in the Spring with more information to be provided in the future.