Shirley Thorman Casagrande, age 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 21,2009 in Odd Fellows & Rebekah Health Care Facility. Born in Lockport on January 25, 1924, she was the daughter of Jean (Moore) and Walter Thorman. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Alex Casagrande, in 1995.

She attended Trinity Lutheran School. After graduating from Lockport Senior High School in 1942, she served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1945, as a hospital corpsman at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, and the U.S. Naval Training Center in Sampson, New York. She was always a trendsetting woman of fashion and style, and for many years worked in the retail industry. She was employed as an assistant manager at The Sample in Lockport, and Lane Bryant in Buffalo. In later years, her love of collecting antiques compelled her to work with her two sisters to organize and run local estate sales, and set up their wares at various flea markets. More recently, she worked as a Lockport Hospital Guild Volunteer, and was a member of the Canal Cuties Red Hat Society, where she enjoyed the flourish of her red hats and pins, and the socialization with friends. In addition, she was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was a generous, creative, vibrant and fabulous woman who was always full of life: one who loved animals (especially cats), and was known to befriend any stray who came her way; loved her teddy bears; loved her "bling" and more than anything, loved her family.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan (John) Bernardi. She was the treasured "Gram" of Megan (Tim) Menges, and Erik (Michelle) Bernardi, and wonderful GiGi to Ethan and Luke Menges, and Anthony and Paloma Bernardi. She is also survived by one brother, Walter (Shirley) Thorman, sisters-in-law, Jennie Denniston, and Janet Casagrande, and several nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was predeceased by her two sisters, Helen Bedford and Honey Rathke. Shirley is also survived by her dear friend Joe (late Lorraine) Fabian.

Relatives and friends may call Friday 3-7 PM in Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport where funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 AM. Interment will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, any animal rescue charity or charity of one's choice. Please visit www.pruddenandkandt.com to leave an online condolence.

Visitation

Relatives and friends may call Friday 3-7 PM in Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport.

Services

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 AM in the funeral home.

Interment

Interment will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.