Loretta A. “Kasey” Kasehagen-Durham

Loretta A. “Kasey” Kasehagen-Durham, age 71, of Newark, DE, went home to be with the Lord, Leo W. Kasehagen, her mother, father, sister, brothers, and others important in her life on Friday, March 11, 2022. She always said that when she reached those gates, she wanted to be able to stand up and tell the Lord that she did her best to share and use up all of her talents and gifts God gave her for the good of her family, friends, community, and clients.

Born in Wildwood, NJ, on July 5, 1950, she lived most of her life in New Castle County, Delaware. Loretta was active in the Read Aloud Program, Title I Program, and started the first parent teacher workshop room within DeLaWarr School District. She volunteered in Boy Scouts, church, folk group, and schools. Loretta affected all those around her by treating friends like family and family like friends. Family always came first.

Loretta is survived by her husband, Ralph E. Durham; sons, Leo J. Kasehagen and wife Cristiane of West Chester, PA, and Michael F. Kasehagen and wife Susan of Newark; grandchildren, Samantha Kasehagen, Anna Sophia Kasehagen, and Madison Kasehagen; and sisters, Doris Downs and family of New Castle, Toni Abel, and Helen Havens.

Loretta spent the last 25 years of her life serving people as an office manager for the Church of The Holy City, county secretary for Geriatric Services, foster care coordinator with Geriatric Services and then finally the last 13 years, as case manager for the Division of Developmental Disabilities, State of Delaware. She served for a period of time on the board of directors of Saint Martin’s House of Ridgely, MD, and board of directors for the National Association of Family Caregivers. Loretta developed and produced the first newsletter for the National Association of Family Caregivers, which was circulated nationwide. She loved gardening, computers, writing, refinishing furniture, and photography. Along with her second husband, Ralph Durham, Loretta enjoyed spending time with their dogs, rides to Lancaster and Rock Hall, and vacationing in various places, most particularly, the Poconos. She was the proud author of a book entitled, Pathfinder, later to be named SecurUs.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will be held at 11 am. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Loretta’s memory be made to, Church Of The Holy City, 1118 N. Broom St, Wilmington DE, 19806; All the Difference – Autism Delaware, checks made payable to: Autism Delaware, 924 Old Harmony Road, Suite 201, Newark, DE 19713 or by clicking here; or to Martin’s House and Barn, 14374 Benedictine Lane, Ridgely, MD 21660 or online by clicking here.