Delois Alene Townsend

1934 - 2025

Alene age 91, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her daughter's house on November 5, 2025.

Alene was born on April 22, 1934, in Oklahoma City, OK to Price and Maggie (Adamson) Cates. She attended schools in Oklahoma City and marched in all the parades as a Majorette. At a very young age she married Nathaniel Dalton and had 3 children, Sharon/Bob/Barbara. She moved to CA around 1955 and worked at Macy's Dept store. She and Nathaniel parted ways in 1964, and she continued to raise her children alone.

She married Fred Casassa in 1965 and moved to Napa. Shortly after she lost her daughter Sharon to a long illness. She began her career at Pacific Telephone in 1965 as a Service Representative and was promoted to a Collection Manager for Northern CA/Nevada retiring in 1990. She served on the Napa Grand Jury and was an active participant in helping Fred with Napa Native Sons.

In 1997 she formally adopted Michael, Fred's son from a prior marriage, and welcomed him to the family officially. She became a volunteer teacher at St Apollinaris Religious Education Program and helped to create the "Holiday Angel Bazaar". She became very involved with the church by singing in the choir, serving as a board member for the Religious Education Program and the CYO and was always there to help with any other church events. In 2002 she was named St Apollinaris Women's Guild Woman of the year.

After 30 years of marriage, Fred passed away. A few years later she started dating Don, whom she had known when he was married to his deceased wife. Alene and Don were married in 1998 and traveled extensively all over the world by car, plane, bus, and ships and enjoyed every journey to the fullest. Don passed away in 2021 leaving Alene widowed again.

Alene was a loving, generous, passionate and fun mother, grandmother, friend and was very spiritual. She loved her family, church, and friends deeply.

She is survived by:

Children: Robert Dale Dalton (Carol); Barbara Sorensen (Tom); Michael Casassa (Lisa)

Grandchildren: Eric Sorensen (Tara), Heather Estrada (Salvador) Ashley Casassa, Christopher Casassa, Robert Dalton 2nd, Cody Burton, Fred Casassa 3rd (Melissa)

Great Grandchildren: Randy Sorensen (Mackenna), Tayler Sorensen, Kyle Sorensen, Casey Sorensen, Brady Sorensen, Karina Estrada, Jasmine Estrada, Salvador Estrada, Sabrina Estrada, Saul Estrada, Caitriona Cline, Rayden Burton, Jimmy Casassa, Tabitha Casassa, and numerous close friends.

Great Great Grandchildren: Jade Sorensen, Arlen and Denali Lamont.

Preceded in death by: Sharon Dalton (Daughter), Chris Sorensen (Grandson) Jamie Perez (Granddaughter)

Services will be held at St Apollinaris Catholic Church Napa Ca on November 21 at 11am, reception to follow. There will be a private burial at Tulocay Cemetery in Napa.

Donations may be made in Alene's name to St. Apollinaris Catholic Church or a charity of your choice. Delois Alene Townsend (Cates, Dalton, Casassa)