by Carolyn James

Lillian Casserly-Mustapich

After she had raised her children, Lillian Casserly pursued a dream and returned to school, eventually graduating from Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in arts and languages. She taught language in the Copiague School District, traveled, entertained and volunteered and became a well-known and respected member of the Amityville community where she was born and raised.

Lillian Casserly-Mustapich died July 20, 2005 following a brief illness. Family and friends remember her as a woman who touched the lives of many with love, warmth and friendship.

"If ever there was a great lady who cared about everybody other than herself it was Lilly," said William Morrell, an Amityville resident, local attorney and longtime friend of Mrs. Casserly-Mustapich.

"She always managed to find that something special in everyone," said her friend and neighbor on Robbins Avenue, Margaret Dineen. "I loved her because she was a highly spiritual person; a universally spiritual and charismatic woman who never proselytized, but whose spirituality was catching to those around her."

"She touched a lot of people in an unassuming way," said her son Peter, Deputy Mayor in Amityville Village and Commissioner of Planning and Development in the Town of Babylon. "She made everyone she spoke to feel that they had her undivided attention at that moment."

Her son said that his mother’s spirituality was her greatest asset and that it went beyond being religious. "It was something that she developed and refined over the decades of her life," he said.

Mrs. Casserly-Mustapich was born Lillian Palagonia and was raised in Amityville. Her first husband John died in 1985 and she later married Michael Mustapich who predeceased her in 2003.

"She loved Amityville," said her son. "She spent time in Venice, Florida but as soon as the snow melted, she was back up here."

She was a longtime member of the Woman’s Club of Amityville, St. Martin of Tours R.C. Church and the LeBourget Alliance.

Henry Marcley, a resident of Amityville who knew Mrs. Casserly-Mustapich since childhood, said that as a member of the LeBourget Alliance and the French Club Dix Heures, which continues to meet in Amityville, she visited France several times and took French families visiting Amityville into her home.

"We are both avowed Francophiles and we all will miss her very much," said Marcley.

She was also a member of the Amityville Historical Society. She spoke three languages in addition to English—Italian, French and German—and was an avid historian, especially of Amityville.

"She always told me that there was a goldfish pond in the back of my home," said Dineen. "And, sure enough, when we dug up the back yard to do some work, there it was, a beautiful aqua goldfish pond."

Dineen said Mrs. Mustapich-Casserly researched the history of many of the homes around Amityville and described her as an "ageless, timeless woman" who looked years younger than her age.

As a young woman, Mrs. Casserly-Mustapich worked in Manhattan and later for Doubleday Publishers in Garden City. Later in life she enjoyed traveling, particularly to visit with her children and grandchildren.

In addition to her son Peter, Mrs. Casserly-Mustapich is survived by her children John Jr., Dr. Richard J., Sharon Casserly McKee and her husband Michael C., Deborah C. Langfelder and her husband Robert F., and Brian M. Casserly. Her grandchildren also survive her: Keith A., Jesse, Dakota B., Mariah Rose, Colleen Rose, Caity B., Kinds Rose and Matthew M. Casserly; and David Jesse and Daniel John Langfelder, and Michelle and Christine Casserly-McKee. She is also survived by her great grandchild Ellison Rose Held.

Her grandson Justin E.D. Casserly predeceased her as did her brothers Caspar and Joseph Palagonia.

She reposed at the Powell Funeral Home, 67 Broadway, Amityville. A funeral Mass was said Saturday, July 25 at St. Martin of Tours and interment followed at Trinity Cemetery. The family has requested that memorial contributions in her name be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation., 1111 Marcus Ave., Lake Success NY 11042.