NAPLES – Fern L. Cass, 83, of Thompson Point Road, formerly of South Portland, died Jan. 1, after a brief illness.

She was born in Lewiston on Jan. 8, 1921, a daughter of Alphonse and Leda Bilodeau Turmenne, and attended schools there.

She worked in the shoe factories in Lewiston for several years, prior to her marriage to Kenneth A. Cass Jr.

She became a fulltime homemaker, and was devoted to her spouse and children. The family lived for many years on Ocean Street in South Portland.

While her children were young, she volunteered her time with the Blue Birds and the Camp Fire Girls, and was at one time the President of the Mother’s Club at the South Portland Heights Elementary School.

She enjoyed gardening and craft work, and she was also a fan of the Boston Celtics.

Surviving is a son, Donald N. Cass Sr., of Naples; two daughters, Judith Spencer and her husband, Frank, of Old Orchard Beach, and Janis Barrows and her husband, Keith, of Warren; nine grandchildren, Jeanna Gregor, Michael Horton, Michelle Horton, Andrea Tibbetts, Scott Barrows, Kreg Barrows, Suzanne Cifaldo, Donald Cass Jr., and William Pope III; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, who died in 1996; a daughter, Nancy Pope, who died in 1968; two sisters; and a brother.