Delano Cassar, 71, biology teacher

Delano Barbour Cassar of Ridgefield, a longtime teacher who had lived here since 1965, died Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, at her home after an extended illness. She was 71 years old.
Born in Mount Olive, N.C. on Nov. 14, 1932, Mrs. Cassar was a daughter of Melba Ingram Barbour of Panama City, Fla. and the late Clifton Barbour.
Before teaching, Mrs. Cassar was a pharmacology technician with Smith, Kline and French in Philadelphia, Pa., and later held the same position with the New England Institute for Medical Research in Ridgefield.
Later she taught biology at John Jay High School in Katonah, N.Y., retiring in 1987.
Ms. Cassar’s family said that while teaching in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District, she took great pride in the success of her students and in 1973 was co-advisor of the senior class.
Ms. Cassar will be remembered for her volunteer work in a number of organizations including the Ridgefield Chapter of the American Association of University Women, of which she was a member for 35 years. She led the cultural events committee and planned trips to places such as the state legislative offices in Hartford and the sculpture glass works in Litchfield County.
She was also a longtime member of the National Organization for Women and the American Association of Retired Persons, volunteered for the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen in Danbury and the Literacy Volunteers of America, and supported many other causes.
She was an avid gardener, an amateur beekeeper, and an ardent devotee of gourmet cooking.
Besides her mother, Ms. Cassar is survived by a daughter, Liana Maria Cassar of Barrington, R.I.; a son, Steven J. Cassar of Watertown; a sister, Alidia Brown of Panama City; three grandchildren and three nieces.
Her husband of 28 years, Stanley J. Cassar, died in August of 2002.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown.
Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Contributions in her memory can be made to Danbury Hospital Oncology Department, 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810.