Obituary of Donia Phelan Caspersen

Donia Adele Phelan Caspersen died peacefully on April 2, 2018 at the age of 94.                

Born on January 16, 1924 in Beaumont, Texas, she was the third child of Cornelius Myers and Donia Blanchette Phelan who instilled in her a deep Catholic faith. After graduation from St. Anthony’s High School, she attended Lamar Junior College where she discovered her passion for theatre. Loving the limelight, she starred in many plays.

In 1945, she married Charles Anthony Caspersen and moved to Houston where they had 14 children in 14 years. They joined St. Anne Catholic Church where she was active in the Guild and Daytimers for almost 60 years. She was instrumental in writing The History of St. Anne Catholic Church. Donia was honored to serve as a Basilian Lay Associate and an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  She also offered endless hours of support to her children’s schools: St. Anne School, St. Agnes Academy and St. Thomas High School.

In the early 70s, she and Charlie built Caspersen Realty where they worked together until his death in l987. She retired a few years later to spend more time with her family. Her grandchildren will remember her best for baking Mamaw’s cookies and planning tea parties. Gran was so much fun!

Soon after celebrating her 90th, Donia suffered a stroke. We are grateful to the many caregivers who helped her through her final years. Donia was preceded in death by her husband Charlie; daughter Colleen Caspersen Kavanaugh; sons-in-law Jerry Burke, Vic Iacono, John Moffett; and grandsons Chuck Jamail and Charlie Caspersen. She was also preceded in death by siblings Cornelius Myers Phelan, Hannah Phelan and Jennie Anne Mangum.

She is survived by her children; Kathy Jamail (Jim), Candace Caspersen, Charles Anthony Caspersen III Mary Iacono, Cindy Dewan (Mike), Donia Crouch (Jim), Carol Moffett, Judith Sanderson (Lee), Steve Caspersen (Julie), Kevin Caspersen (Stacy), Cecelia Myers (Tom), John Caspersen (Tami) and Elizabeth Cashiola (Paul), and son-in-law Russ Kavanaugh; 39 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings Polly Keen and Pat Gayle (Vic).

A visitation with the family will begin at 6 p.m. with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 5, 2018.   A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, April 6, 2018. Both services will take place at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas. Donia will be laid to rest at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston, Texas.  

If desired, memorial contributions can be made to St. Anne Catholic School Foundation, 2140 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77098, St. Agnes Academy, 9000 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, Texas 77036 or St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007.