Norma Frances Cass

On March 19, 1933, Norman Francis Aubertine and Helen Dolores (Baldwin) Aubertine gave birth to their first child, Norma Frances Aubertine, at St. Luke’s Catholic Hospital in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Younger brothers, William Henry Aubertine & Brian Joseph Aubertine, completed the family. Raised in a whaling mansion, which encompassed a city block, the Aubertine family ran Aubertine Funeral Home. Norma attended Betsey B Winslow Elementary for kindergarten & Holy Family Elementary. Norma graduated from Holy Family High School in New Bedford in 1951. In 1955, Norma graduated with a double major in Dietetics & Chemistry and a double minor in Science and Education from Salve Regina College, Newport, Rhode Island. Norma attended SalemTeachers College for her Master’s credit in Teaching. Norma taught 4^th grade at Betsy B Winslow Elementary School in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Norma attended Brown University to learn Hebrew and Portuguese to assist with reaching her students. After teaching, Norma became a Funeral Director & worked at Aubertine Funeral Home. On August 14, 1958, Norma flew to South Texas to visit her Mother & Stepfather, who were living in Portland and met Thomas William Cass. The two were married January 17, 1959 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Portland, Texas. She taught school for Gregory-Portland ISD at T.M. Clark Elementary for a while.  Norma obtained a real estate license and joined the family business, Cass Real Estate. In 1964, Norma & Tom Cass took their family to Major’s River Camp, where the family created great memories on the Frio River for 25 years.

In the mid-1970’s, Norma Cass, Deanie Schulz & Carol Collette began the ladies’ prayer group at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, the prayer wheel, the Charismatic Renewal/Cursillo Movement, the all-faith prayer group & Life in the Spirit seminars. Her quick wit, interesting dialog, fun-loving spirit, spoiling of her grandkids & devotion to Tom enhance our vivid memories of this beautiful woman. Norma Cass is survived by her husband Tom, 5 children, Mary Deane (Fr. Reid Hensarling), Ellen, Carolyn (Frank Olevitch), Shawn & Patti (Nico Strain), and 6 grandchildren, Amy, David, Thomas, Katherine, Donovan & Charlotte. On September 12, 2016 at 5:15 am, Norma Cass peacefully left for her heavenly mansion. The Cass Family would like to thank the staff at PAMS Spohn Shoreline, Dr. Jude, Dr. Lynn, family, friends & the amazing people working at Tom & Norma’s weekly restaurants, who had their drinks at the table when they walked in the door.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm, with the Rosary beginning at 7:30pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 1008 Austin St, Portland. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 16, 2016 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, with burial services following at Palms Memorial Gardens.