WILMINGTON — Betsy Castelloe Ormand, 91, died at home in Wilmington, North Carolina, on March 6, 2026. She was born March 13, 1934, spent her childhood in Winterville, North Carolina, and lived in Wilmington for the past 60 years with her husband of 66 years, Dr. John William Ormand, Jr.
Betsy was the matriarch of a large and loving family—five children and 11 grandchildren—and she cherished a wide circle of friends. She was a source of wise counsel, a good listener, and an engaging storyteller. Friends and family alike valued long conversations with her, ending the call feeling supported, encouraged, and strengthened by her thoughtful advice. She believed in being a good sport, working hard, and doing things well.
Betsy didn’t just offer great advice—she showed others how to be strong and capable by the way she lived. She took devoted care of her family and their beautiful property overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, tending the yard, overseeing repairs, maintaining the home, recovering after hurricanes, hosting large gatherings, and continually improving the place. She was the epitome of a good steward.
For more than 20 years, the Ormand family gathered each summer for “beach week” at Wrightsville Beach or Figure Eight Island. Known as the “best week of the year,” it was filled with wild boating, delicious meals, raucous card games, and time together. Another treasured tradition was the Tuesday night group—a circle of couples who met for dinner on Tuesday evenings for more than 30 years. Betsy also loved to travel. She lived in Germany in the early 1960s and took trips all over the world, from Patagonia to Cambodia to Malta, instilling that same love of discovery in her children and grandchildren.
She graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, majoring in mathematics, and worked at Westinghouse in Baltimore, MD, She researched projects on rockets propulsion and radio controlled cars. Following her mother’s example, Betsy was a long-term stock market investor who believed in and demonstrated the power of compound growth. Smart, diligent, and well spoken, she served in a variety of leadership and volunteer roles, including the Oleander Garden Club, the Wilmington Historical Society, the Board of Trustees of Cape Fear Academy, and the Junior League.
She is survived by her husband, John William Ormand, Jr.; her sister, Maggi Castelloe; her daughters, Lisa Ormand Taylor (Stewart), RueAnn Ormand (Mark Beesley), Kristin Ormand (Ben McCollum), and Maggi Ormand; her grandchildren, Will Ormand (Mallie), Rachel Ormand Laughery (Zane), Will Taylor, Caroline Taylor, Kristin Taylor, Kaija Beesley, Gabri Beesley, Summer Beesley, Nicole Beesley, Ben McCollum, and Jack McCollum; her great-grandchildren, Jacks Ormand and Oakley Ormand; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Obed and LaRue Castelloe; her brothers, Thomas and Paul Castelloe; and her son, John William Ormand III.
A funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Sunday, March 22 at 12:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life reception will follow after the service at the family’s home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, First Presbyterian Church or Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
