ELKHART -- Joan A. Cassella, 73, of 23680 Greenleaf Blvd., passed away at 3:55 p.m. Wednesday (July 5, 2006) at her home on Greenleaf Boulevard.

Joan was born Aug. 3, 1932, in Gloversville, N.Y., to Adam and Molly (Mezza) Gargiulo. She married Frank Joseph Cassella Sr. on Sept. 11, 1955, in Little Falls, N.Y. He passed away on Aug. 17, 2001, in Elkhart.

She is survived by three sons, Frank J., Rick J. (Kim) and James A. Cassella, all of Elkhart; eight grandchildren, Kayleigh, Taryn, Jordan, Lyndsey, Chris, Joey, Adam and Tony Cassella, all of Elkhart; and one sister, Marie Gargiulo of Dolgeville, N.Y.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and a half hour prior to the 10 a.m. Monday funeral service at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. The Rev. Bill Schooler of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Granger, will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery, Elkhart.

A vigil service will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Joan was a wonderful mother and homemaker. Her strong faith, love and devotion to her family is her legacy. She loved to cook and entertain, and her home was always open to those in need. She also enjoyed antiques and oriental decorating.

Joan loved her house on the river with its view and tranquility. She will be missed by her dogs, Julius and Nico. She was a faithful member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and a 1950 graduate of Little Falls (N.Y.) High School.

Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.