Dora Casasanta Dwyer

COLUMBIA— When Dora Casasanta Dwyer’s grandson got married, she dressed for the occasion.
Her grandson is in “a heavy metal and rock ‘n’ roll band” and has long black hair and tattoos covering most of his body, her daughter Karen Dwyer said. So the day of the wedding, Ms. Casasanta put temporary tattoos all over her arms to fit in.
“She was very feisty in every way and such an independent, spirited person,” Dwyer said. “She traveled all over the country in a car, and it was often with four kids in tow. It seemed the older she got, the more open-minded she got.”
Ms. Casasanta of Columbia died Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at her home. She was 82.
She was born July 19, 1925, in Coraopolis, Pa., to Gaetano and Gaetana Tarquinio Casasanta.
A loving person, Ms. Casasanta was everyone’s favorite “Aunt Dora,” Dwyer said. She loved crossword puzzles and Scrabble and worked as a nurse for about 15 years.
Ms. Casasanta is survived by two sons, Kenneth and James; four daughters, Karen, Claudia, Flora and Charlee; a brother, Roland; four sisters, Yolanda, Alma, Diana and Laraine; and 11 grandchildren.
A daughter, Rita; three brothers, Chester, Oliver and Sammy; and a sister, Lydia, died earlier.
Private services will be held. Flowers may be sent to Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road, Columbia, MO 56202.

Nilson Funeral Home

-- MELISSA BOYER