Born Betty Marlow in 1931 in Rock River, Wyoming, the 1988 Woman of the Year graduated from Rock River High School in 1949 and was awarded a 4-year scholarship to the University of Wyoming, Laramie. Betty married Paul M. Castleberry in July 1951, then dropped out of the university and accepted a position as secretary to the Dean of the College of Pharmacy to help Paul complete a degree in mechanical engineering. The couple moved to Glendale, California in 1956 and then to Newhall in 1964. They moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1992.
“When I was chosen Woman of the Year for 1988, I felt honored to be added to the list of women who had been recognized for making a difference in the life of their community,” commented Betty. “In serving my SCV community, I always received more than I gave. I’m grateful and indebted to the many people of the Santa Clarita Valley who encouraged and supported me in all my volunteer efforts.”
Betty’s volunteer activities in the SCV include:
• President of Peachland Elementary School – 1966
• Vice President of Newhall-Saugus PTA Council 1968 – Awarded a Life-time membership in PTA for outstanding contributions to the organization.
• A.A. degree from the College of the Canyons. Named to Who’s Who in Junior Colleges in 1979
• B.A. degree from the University of Antioch, L. A. – 1982
• Member of the Board of Trustees Newhall Elementary School District – 1976. Served one year as President – Was honored for being instrumental in returning music to the elementary curriculum
• Bank of America Awards Committee 1977 & 1978
• President of Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley – 1981
– Received Soroptimist’s first annual “Women Helping Women” Award 1984
• President of Newhall-Saugus Business and Professional Women’s Club -1981
• Member of the Board of Directors of St. Stephen’s Special School (now Child & Family Center) – 1981
• Member of Regional Board of Camino Real Soroptimists – 1983
• Hart Scholarship Fund Board – 1983
• Charter member of Board of Directors – Association to Aid Victims of Domestic
Violence- 1983. Served as Secretary and as Vice President
• Received Newhall-Saugus Business and Professional Women’s “Women Helping
Women” award –1983
• Recipient of “Woman of the Year” Award from Newhall-Saugus Business and
Professional Women – 1984
• Member of the Association of California Water Agencies. Chair of ACWA’s Board Secretary Committee – 1984-86; vice chair – Personnel and Administration Committee – 1989
• Charter president of the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra Foundation – 1986
• Honored by Zonta International as “Woman of the Year” 1987
• Santa Clarita Valley Chamber’s “Woman of the Year” 1988
• Member of Finance Steering Committee – College of the Canyons
• Member of the “Screening Committee” College of the Canyons to find a new president
• Member of College of the Canyons Career Technology Subcommittee
• President of the Friends of Hart Park and Museum
• Board of Directors Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce- 1991
served as Vice President Public Affairs – Member of Legislative Committee
• Retired 1992 from Castaic Lake Water Agency – (Position: Administrative Officer.)
Grand Junction, Colorado Activities:
• City of Grand Junction Arts and Culture Commission Member – 1992
• American Association of University Women – 1992 – Served as Educational Foundation
chair , by-laws chair and ways and means
• Member of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce “Rangers” 1992
• Board of Directors Chipeta Girl Scout Council – 1993 (Life member)
• Advisory Committee for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program – 1993
• United Way Board of Trustees -Grand Junction – Vice President 1994
• Grand Junction Symphony Board of Directors -1997-2000 and 2002-2005