Audrey M. Cassanova Moran

Audrey M. Cassanova Moran, 84, died in the company of her family on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 in Gulfport, MS. A native of Biloxi, and a coast resident for most of her life. Audrey enjoyed God's many blessings throughout her years on earth. Audrey graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, Biloxi and Hotel Dieu School of Nursing, New Orleans. She served in the Navy Nurse Corps, followed by a successful civilian career that included nursing positions at the Biloxi VA and local hospitals including Wayne County General in Detroit, MI and Biloxi Regional and Ocean Springs Hospital, specializing in Emergency Room treatment. In addition to her profession and homemaking for her husband and children, Audrey was also involved in numerous church and civic organizations; among them were the Altar Society and St. Vincent de Paul Society at Sacred Heart Church in D'Iberville where she served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Audrey was a Red Cross volunteer, held officer positions with the North Bay Senior Citizens and Gulf Coast Jazz Society, and was a member of the Mississippi Mates Unit 150, WAVES National. Audrey was a talented cake decorator, milliner, seamstress, and quilter, and enjoyed fishing and cheering for the Atlanta Braves. Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, W.F. "Chris" Moran; her parents, Frank and Frances Cassanova; and her brother, F.A. Cassanova, Jr. She is survived by her sister, Helen Bieda of Gulfport; her brother and sister-in-law, Wallace and Marilyn Cassanova of Ocean Springs; her four children and their spouses, Bill and Vicki Moran of Ann Arbor, MI, Betty and David Cell of Sarasota, FL, Barbara and Brice Sowell of Gulfport, and Brenda and Ken Goodrich of Canon, GA; six grandchildren, Sara Moran, William Sowell, Carla Simmons, Brittany Sowell, Bonnie Sowell, and Patrick Moran; one great grandchild; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Depew Rd. in Gulfport on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 and praying of the rosary at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be Monday, July 25, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12290 Depew Road, Gulfport, MS 39503. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.