From Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rememberingcherylcastille
A celebration of life honoring Cheryl Larkin Castille was announced today that will be offered on Saturday, October 17th from 2:30pm-4:30pm both virtually on Facebook and in-person at the Acadiana Center for the Arts with limited tickets due to the coronavirus.
The theme of the event was inspired by one of Cheryl’s favorite compliments to something or someone that she admired that was “tip of the hat!”. Several partners, agencies and friends have come together to host the celebration with multiple ways to participate and honor Cheryl.
Virtual Event: Virtual attendees can tune into the Remembering Cheryl Larkin Castille Facebook page
Limited In-Person Event: Those who register for limited in-person admission, will be offered the option of inside seating or admission to the outside area in front of the Acadiana Center for the Arts where the inside tribute will be simulcast to screens for more to enjoy outdoors.
Celebrations In-Place: Celebrations in-place around the state are also encouraged. If you are interested in hosting something in-place, please contact Kate Durio at katedurio@gmail.com.
Share a Video for Montage: Video messages and remembrances can be recorded and uploaded for a video montage to be played at the event and online and all invited to participate. Deadline for submissions to be included: October 10 at 11:59pm. Submit here: https://share.vidday.com/o-q2lw68.
Share Remembrances: Other remembrances can also be uploaded to the Remembering Cheryl Larkin Castille Facebook page
Virtual Toast: The various ways to celebrate will be unified with a virtual toast at the end of the program for all watching virtually or celebrating in-person or in-place to participate.
Banners on Stage: Organizations that have worked with Cheryl are invited to provide a pop up banner that represents the organization to be displayed on stage at the Acadiana Center for the Arts during the celebration. Please contact Kate Durio at katedurio@gmail.com to coordinate.
Donations for a Legacy Fund in Cheryl’s Honor: Those interested in donating to a fund in Cheryl’s honor should contact the Acadiana Center for the Arts Development Coordinator Meagan Mod at meagan@acadianacenterforthearts.org.
Because there are no public funerals in Louisiana, event organizers are working hard to balance the large outpouring of those who wish to pay their respects and the necessary precautions of large gatherings due to the coronavirus.
To address this, the in-person event has strictly limited seating inside and outside. However, the addition of plenty of outdoor space is offered to allow for socially-distance with the celebration also streamed outside to accommodate more loved ones. Rain plans will include moving into the large galleries inside the ACA for theatre overflow once the limited seating is full.
More information, including a Facebook event with all event details and relevant links, can be found on the Remembering Cheryl Larkin Castille Facebook page. Loved ones, colleagues and friends are also invited to leave messages, photos and videos to honor Cheryl on the page.
About Cheryl Larkin Castille:
Cheryl Larkin Castille, 61 was born to eternal life on Sunday, September 20, 2020. She was born August 8, 1959 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Bill and Jan Larkin.
The family moved to La Crosse Wisconsin shortly thereafter, where Cheryl graduated from Aquinas High School in La Crosse in 1977.
She was married to the love of her life, Blake Castille, for 27 years and they lived together in Prairie Laurent in St. Landry Parish.
Survivors besides her husband Blake include her mother Jan, brother Scott Larkin (Colleen) of Oconomowoc WI; niece Sarah Jayde (Castille) Williams of Opelousas LA, Theresa Larkin of Seattle WA and Sarah Larkin of Wauwatosa WI.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her father, Bill Larkin and her niece Tanya Castille.
Cheryl was heavily involved in the promotion of arts, culture, tourism and music for the state of Louisiana serving as the Executive Director at Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of the Lt. Governor and in the past as the assistant to the president of St Landry Parish.
Cheryl and Blake’s favorite moment was following Dead and Company concerts for their summer vacation and hearing 60,000 Deadheads singing the encore Ripple in the Colorado moon light.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to your choice of your local nonprofit arts organizations
Private Graveside services and Burial will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse, Wisconsin.