Joan Cass

1924 - 2018

Joan (Brodie) Cass, born July 18, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York; passed away aged 93 on May 2, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. Joan was the beloved wife of the late George Cass. Joan is survived and will be sorely missed by her daughter, Deborah Ashman and significant other William Ashman, and her son David Cass and his wife Linda Cass. She also leaves behind a loving extended family of 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their children including Peter and Karen Miller, Toni Miller Dunleavy, and Stephen Miller. An author, dancer and dance teacher, Joan was a dance critic for many years for the Boston Globe, Jewish Advocate and Boston Herald, and her writings in the field include "Dance: A Handbook for the Appreciation of the Choreographic Experience" and "Dancing Through History". She also wrote "Another Beginning: Through the Israeli Looking Glass", her memoir of the familys emigration to Israel which was used by the Israeli government to encourage other American families to similarly make Aliya. Since 2009 Joan lived at Hebrew Senior Lifes independent living Danesh residences at 100 Centre Street in Brookline where, among other activities, she taught memoir writing, edited the residents Journal, and acted in numerous in-house musical productions. The family invites donations in Joan's name to Hebrew Senior Life / Families and Friends of 100 Centre St. (give.hebrewseniorlife.org/tribute | designate the gift as other, and list F&F 100 ). There will be an open memorial service at 100 Centre Street in the Skyline Cafe on May 22, 2018 at 1:45 pm.