Betty Jane Castillo Mumm of Poulsbo Washington passed on March 4, 2019, just weeks after celebrating her 68th birthday, from complications of pancreatic cancer.
Betty was the third child born to Philip and Irmgard (Ebner) Castillo on the Island of Kauai. The siblings grew up in traditional island style, steps from the beach, barefoot and carefree, making memories that would last a lifetime. Eventually, the family moved to Oahu and settled in Aiea.
After graduating from high school, Betty left Hawaii to follow her dream of becoming a teacher. She received her bachelor’s degree from Chapman University, then returned to Hawaii to graduate from the University of Hawaii summa cum laude with a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education. She worked as a Head Start consultant in Hawaii, as a research teacher at Kamehameha Schools, and as director of the Fort Shafter (Hawaii) Child Development Center.
In the spring of 1984, Betty met and fell in love with Col. Alan Mumm, MD. They soon wed and Betty left her beloved family and islands to embrace military life. The couple was transferred to San Antonio, Texas, where son Adam was born and Betty continued her teaching career. The Army then took them to Seattle, and they settled in Poulsbo. Betty taught kindergarten through third grade for 27 years in Hawaii, Texas and Washington State before retiring from Cougar Valley Elementary School and the Central Kitsap School District in 2013.
Betty’s greatest joy was becoming a mother to son Adam. She was second mother to nieces and nephews, Adam’s friends, foreign exchange students, and children she sponsored around the world. For the past three years, Betty and Alan were Oma and Opa to adopted grandchildren Wesley and Rogan Olson, who have brought such joy to their lives.
Like her beloved mom, Betty was fun-loving and energetic with a zest for life. Betty traveled the world with family and friends, returning to her island roots at least once a year to swim in the warm beaches she loved. Betty loved swimming, boating, gardening, knitting, cooking and Bible studies. In 2018 she organized and led 12-day tour of the Holy Land (her third), and co-authored a travel guide to Israel.
The Mumm household was the hearth and heart of the family, always welcoming and decorated for all holidays. The ultimate organizer and hostess, Betty loved planning a menu and cooking special meals, especially at Christmas, when she went “all out.”
Betty is survived by loving husband Alan, son Adam and his fiancé Claire, brother Philip Castillo (Faith), sisters Susan Santiago (Thomas) and Lina Caroline Heil (Michael), nieces and nephews Brandon, Liane, Briana, Aaron and Isaac, and their children and adopted grandchildren, Wesley and Rogan Olson.
Betty is now at peace with her savior Jesus Christ, in the arms of father Philip Castillo and mother Irmgard. The family would like to thank Dr. Willerford and the staff at Harrison Hematology & Oncology for their care during the past year.
Private services were held in Kauai and Poulsbo. Condolences, photos and memories may be left at
www.lewischapel.com.
