Betty Joy Casano

Betty Joy Cullinane Casano was born on March 10, 1931, in Mississippi City (Gulfport), MS. She passed away at her home in Gulfport Friday, March 11, 2016, with her daughter Kim at her side following a long illness. Betty was a lifelong resident of Gulfport and a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
Betty was a graduate of Gulfport High School and attended Perkinston Junior College where she played the trombone in the Perkinston Band. After her children were married she returned to college at MGCCC Jefferson Davis Nursing Division and worked at the Biloxi Veterans Administration Hospital until she retired.
Betty was a member of the Women's Auxiliary of Joe Graham Post 119 and volunteered her time at the Veterans Administration Center for many years before becoming a nurse.
Betty's greatest joys were her family and friends. She loved cooking and attending gourmet cooking classes and won awards for several of her recipes. She will be best remembered for her laughter, hospitality, and cooking. No one could ever say they left her home without sampling at least one of her delicious meals.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Maude Fayard Cullinane and Frank Walter Cullinane of MS City (Gulfport), her husband of 42 years, Peter Joseph Casano, Jr., her son, Timothy Casano, her granddaughter, Karen Casano, 4 brothers and their wives, William ""Bill"" Cullinane (Evelyn), Frank ""F.W."" Cullinane (Gladys), Murdock Cullinane (Christine), and George Cullinane (Ora), and 3 sisters, Jeannette Cullinane, Bernice Carrier, and June Rettig Cullinane (Fred).
Survivors include her daughter, Kim Michele Casano Ware (Bill), stepson, Peter J. Casano III (Maren), granddaughter, Sarah Catherine Ware, grandsons, Coleton M. Casano, Peter J. Casano IV (Rose) of Jackson, MS, and Michael J. Casano, great granddaughter, Kelsey Rose Casano and great grandson, Peter J. Casano V both of Jackson, MS. Betty is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews as well as her lifelong friend, Zora Garrett Marshall of Hammond, LA.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 16, 2016, from 10 to 11 am at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Gulfport, MS. The funeral service will be at 11 am followed by a reception in the parish hall.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Michael F. Payment and his nurse, Danielle Hoda, for their excellent care, kindness, and support. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd., Gulfport, is serving the family and an online guestbook may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com