Obituary of Regina Cassetta

      The family of Regina [Jean] Cassetta R.N., CSJ celebrate her ascension from this life into the hands of our Lord in Heaven. Regina passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 22 at St Mary’s Hospital in the presence of her family. She was a resident of Linden Court in Amsterdam. 

     Regina was born in Amsterdam on September 25, 1929 to her late immigrant parents Nicola and Rose Mastrofrancesco Cassetta. She attended local schools in Amsterdam and graduated from Wilbur H Lynch Senior High School, Class of 1947. Following graduation, Regina attended Union University School of Nursing in Albany, graduating in 1950 as a Registered Nurse. She began her career in healthcare in the Trauma Unit at Albany Medical Center. In 1953 Regina embarked on her exemplary 38 year career at St Mary’s Hospital. In 1972, she was promoted to Director of Nursing Services, a position she held until her retirement in 1991.

Upon retirement, the Regina Cassetta Nursing Endowment Scholarship was established to provide an annual scholarship to recipients training in nursing studies. It was at this point that Regina nobly began her “Volunteer Career.” Among her many volunteer activities she is fondly remembered for her membership on numerous boards including: FMCC Advisory Council, St. Mary’s Hospital and St Mary’s Foundation boards, the Montgomery County Office for the Aging Advisory Council, the Horace J. Inman Board of Directors. She served as President of the Community Health Center Board of Directors. Regina was among the founding members of Montgomery County Hospice and served on its Board of Directors. Additionally, she enjoyed tutoring ESL students and volunteered in Head Start classrooms as well as the Partners to Assist Youth Program.

Regina was a lifetime member of the American Nurses Association. She was a sustaining member of the St Mary’s Healthcare Auxiliary, having served many years as its Financial Chairperson. In 2000, Regina was honored to become a recipient of the St Mary’s Hospital Foundation Celebration of Healthcare Excellence Award. The Montgomery County Office for the Aging honored her many accomplishments by selecting her as the recipient of the Diane G Snell Humanitarian Award in 2016.

Regina was a devout Roman Catholic and was a proud parishioner of St Michael’s Church until its closing in 2009 when she transferred to the sister parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. She was actively involved in both parishes serving as both Trustee and a member of the Finance committees. Regina was most gratified in her ministry as a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound and hospitalized patients in the area. Most humbling to Regina was her acceptance into the Associate Program of the Sisters of St Joseph where she faithfully served healthcare to the sick and injured.

Regina was dedicated to her family and will be remembered for her kindness to everyone, always attentive to others needs before her own. She will be remembered for her generosity and selflessness. Many [especially her nieces and nephews who called her often] will fondly remember her as a great listener who offered sound advice based on her strong faith and deep devotion to teachings of the Gospel.

In addition to her parents, Regina was predeceased by her infant brother Francesco, her bother MSGT. Frank M. Cassetta [Korea, 1952], sister and brother-in-law, Antoinette and James Alescio, sister, Nancy Serrani, and brother and sister-in-law, Anthony and Jean Cassetta.

Regina is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Nick and Judy Cassetta, brother-in-law Nicholas Serrani, dearest friend Elaine Cresanti, as well as nieces and nephews, Carol Serrani Anderson [Mark], Mary Beth Alescio Walling, [Dewey], Jean Serrani Spohn [Steve], Frank M Cassetta [Katie], Anne Alescio Crupi [Cosimo], Patricia Cassetta Girard [Charles], James J Alescio [Joyce], Christine Serrani Carlascio [Mark], Lisa Cassetta [Bill Case] and Michael C Cassetta. Numerous grand nieces and nephews, great grand nieces and nephews, Godchildren and cousins also survive.

Regina was an avid New York Yankee fan. One of her prized possessions is an official MLB baseball autographed “to Regina” from Joe Torre. She was looking forward to Derek Jeter’s official induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Regina offers her heartfelt thanks to Dr. Emily Etzkorn and Dr. John Fedullo for their many years of attentive medical care. Additionally, she offers her deep appreciation to Father Lawrence J Decker. Sincere gratitude to Father Pascal “Pat” Iannotti for his abundance of spiritual blessings and profound friendship.

Regina requested that memorial contributions be made to the Regina Cassetta Nursing Scholarship Endowment. c/o St Mary’s Healthcare Foundation, 427 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010; the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondolet, 385 Watervliet Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110; or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 39 St John Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 39 St John Street. Viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. at the church.   A Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 11 AM with Father O. Robert DeMartinis and Fr. Pascal “Pat” Iannotti concelebrating the Mass.  Burial will follow in the Cassetta family plot at St Michael’s Cemetery.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Betz, Rossi and Bellinger Family Funeral Home. Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com.