Emerita Yvonne Loretta Kasstan (nee Robles) was called home to Jesus Saturday March 5, 2022, at the age of 97. She passed away peacefully, in the company of family, at Hogarth Riverview Manor in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Emerita was born with a heart of gold on June 21, 1924 in Port Arthur to Peter (Placido) Robles and Mary Robles (nee White). A sister, Mary Jane, had passed away in infancy in 1920
She earned her Associate degree in Piano Performance from both the University of Toronto and Western University.
Emerita played the organ at St. Agnes Church for the first time when she was 12 years old for benediction. From the age of 19, she was a regular member of the music ministry, playing the organ at the parish and was honoured later with a papal award “Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice” for her more than 50 years of service.
Together with her mother, she was one of the founding members of the parish chapter of the Catholic Women’s League.
Emerita graduated from Normal School (teacher’s college) in North Bay in 1944 and taught elementary school in the Township of Paipoonge and in South Blake in a one-room school, then taught Grades 2-3 at St. Martin’s School where she had 50 to 52 students in a classroom. She also taught piano and theory to many students.
On June 18, 1949, Emerita married Sylvester Kasstan. After almost 49 years of marriage Sylvester passed away on March 2, 1998.
One of Emerita’s greatest accomplishments she believed was raising her 10 children the best she could, teaching by example love, kindness and compassion.
Emerita is survived by her 10 children: Gregory Kasstan (Marlene), Mary Effinger (Edward), Lawrence Kasstan (Rose), Margaret Umolac (Vilko), Joseph Kasstan, Cecilia Kozak (Danny), Loretta Sangster (Larry), Richard Kasstan (Debbie), Frank Kasstan, and Charlie Kasstan(Kathy). She is survived by 16 grandchildren: Patrick, Steven, Elizabeth, Christopher, April, Danielle, Allison, Catherine, John, Ryan, Oliver, Brock, Shannon, Brooklynn, Thomas and Alan. She is also survived by great-grandchildren: Seth, Timothy, Sonia, Marcus, Michael, Madelaine, Everett, Hudson, Jacob, Thomas, Chloe and Nicho. She also leaves behind her honorary daughter Lucy Rzepa Miller.
Special thanks to the staff at Hogarth Riverview Manor for their kind and compassionate care of Emerita.
Funeral Services for the late Emerita Kasstan will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 with family and friends gathering in St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church for the Funeral Mass at 10:00am, celebrated by Father James Panikulam. Interment will follow in Mountainview Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 5:30pm until 8:00pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James, with Vigil Prayers offered at 6:15pm.
For those unable to attend the Mass on Wednesday, live-streaming will be available on the St. Agnes Parish Facebook page.
Donations can be made in honour of Emerita to the Catholic Women’s League at St. Agnes Church or the St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay.
