Sheila Kasper of Kissimmee, FL, passed peacefully in the presence of her family early Tuesday evening. Although sad, we know she has been reunited with the love of her life after 21 years.
Sheila was born in the Bronx, NY to Nathan and Beatrice Millman. She was the youngest of their four children. She had an unusual urban upbringing as her Dad would often bring home various animals which they kept as pets. It was a county oasis within the city.
The front porch was the center of the Millman family’s world. That is where, at 14 years old Sheila met her future husband Leonard Kasper, then just 16 years old when he came to visit his friend Stanley, Sheila’s brother.
Sheila and Leonard were engaged to be marred two years later and were married on November 10th, 1957 at the Paradeen Manor in The Bronx where they settled into their first apartment. It was the same building where Leonard’s parents, Sarah and Meyer Kasper also called home.
Sheila and Leonard had 3 Daughters, Deborah (Ashworth), Susan (Shortall) and Amy (CraIg Kalty). At that point as a family of five moved to a larger home in Chestnut Ridge, NY and embraced suburban life. When Leonard started a business, Sheila was right there to participate by handling the bookkeeping responsibilities. They were proud and loving Grandparents to Samantha, Emma, Olivia, Matthew and Mollie. After Leonard’s passing, they were blessed with two Great-Grandchildren, Michael and Chloe.
Upon retirement, Sheila and Leonard moved South to Kissimmee FL. Next door neighbors and best friends with their in-laws, Dick and Vicky Kalty. They wanted to live somewhere the “kids would visit”. Little did they know then, everyone would follow them down to Florida within a short amount of time. Leonard’s nephew Arthur Kasper and his wife Hilaree were also part of the pack that followed South.
Sheila was a talented craftswoman and spent her days creating works of art in ceramics, painting and sewing.
Her home was where her family gathered for all occasions, the heart of the family. Always surrounded by children, friends, nieces, nephews, and various pets. She will be greatly missed by her little Pandi the Shih Tsu who stuck to her hip day and night until the very end.
Graveside Service will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Congregation Ohev Shalom Cemetery (6034 Old Winter Garden Road, Orlando, FL) with Rabbi Arnold Siegel of Jewish Family Services officiating. May she rest in peace and may her memory always be a blessing.
Service entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 933 Lee Road, Suite 101, Orlando, Florida 407-599-1180.
