Ada Casazza

A gifted counselor, devoted mother, and caring friend, Ada Casazza lived a life marked by compassion, spiritual exploration, and artistic expression. She passed peacefully in Boise, Idaho, on Friday, August 15, 2025 at age 84.

Ada was born on March 15, 1941, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Emmy and Piet Kroon. Her father was a mechanical engineer, and her mother had been a professional ballet dancer before starting a dance school. After the tumultuous times of World War II, the family, including their pet dog, Vosje (Dutch for "little fox") immigrated to the United States in 1946 when Ada was five years old, settling in Pennsylvania. There Ada attended Swarthmore High School. In 1951, the third sister, Emmeline, was born. Family remained an important part of Ada's life throughout the years.

In 1963, Ada earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Boston University. She then moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she worked at Baltimore City Hospital as a social worker. During her time there, she contributed to various programs, including one that developed foster homes for the elderly. While completing her internship, she earned her Master's in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965. It was during this time that Ada met Larry Casazza, a pediatric resident at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Larry and Ada married in 1967 and had a son, Christopher, in 1969. Soon after, they moved to Taiwan for two years while Larry completed his military service. Following Taiwan, they settled in New Orleans, where Larry worked at Tulane University. In 1972, they adopted their daughter, Claire, from Vietnam, and welcomed their second daughter, Danielle, in 1973. During this time, Ada dedicated herself to raising her family and starting a mentoring program for an inner-city school while enjoying the vibrant culture of New Orleans, attending church, and listening to music in the French Quarter.

The family moved to McLean, Virginia, in 1974, where Larry worked for the World Bank. After four years, seeking a slower pace of life, they relocated to Whitefish, Montana, in 1978. There, Larry became the town's first pediatrician, and Ada established Whitefish's first counseling practice. For over 30 years, she served individuals and families through therapy, community education, and employee assistance programs. She was known for workshops on topics such as conflict resolution, parenting, and effective communication. Whitefish would prove to be the place that Ada truly called "home." She taught and occasionally preached at the Whitefish Presbyterian Church, hiked Montana's mountains and swam in remote lakes with friends, played violin in the Glacier Orchestra, and sang in the Glacier Chorale.

In 2009, Ada moved to Boise, Idaho, to be closer to her two daughters and sister Emmeline and her family in Twin Falls. Ada became an active member of St. Michael's Cathedral, where she made many friends and facilitated discussions on spirituality and faith. In addition, she participated in prayer and dream groups, enjoying conversations about diverse beliefs and experiences.

Ada will be remembered for her love and support of friends and family, her connection with nature and animals, her enthusiasm for spiritual growth and transformation, her ability to listen and learn from others, her wacky sense of humor, and her range of worthy creative pursuits-from making mobiles, to writing poetry, to gardening, and an overall dedication to music.

Ada is survived by her three children: Chris Casazza (Gwyneth, and grandsons Peter and Parker) of Seattle, WA; Claire Casazza (Koy McKelvy) of Boise, ID; and Danielle Hurd (Derek Hurd) of Boise, ID; as well as her devoted sister Dory Gardenier (Bill) of Grave, the Netherlands. Her sister, Emmeline Turner, preceded her in death.

Ada's final resting place will be at Saint Michael's Garden Columbarium in Boise, Idaho, and a Celebration of Life is planned for October 5th, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Treasure Valley Institute for Children's Arts (TRICA), 1406 W Eastman St., Boise, Idaho. All who knew and loved Ada are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Boise State Public Radio. , 84