Delia Wallace

Delia Casado Wallace was born the beloved daughter of Basilio and Tomasa Casado on March 12, 1947, in New York City. She spent the early years of her life in the Spanish Harlem section of New York City and moved to the Bronx with her parents and sister Sonia, in the early 1950's. She was a friendly, energetic and bright child who loved to have fun with her family and friends. Delia attended PS 99 Grammar School, PS 60 Junior High School and graduated in 1965 from Walton High School in the Bronx with a Diploma specializing in business. She subsequently attended Pace University in the financial section of Manhattan, New York where she earned her qualification as a bookkeeper. Delia's first job as a bookkeeper was at a bank in Manhattan. Delia's immediate supervisor assigned her menial clerical duties for which she was overqualified. Delia protested these assignments to the supervisors' superior, confident that her education and training qualified her for more advance work. Soon after, she was given bookkeeping duties more suitable to her expertise and excelled at them. This was one of many times Delia let the world know that she would not be bullied and that she was determined to succeed. Delia also worked as a bookkeeper for the popular midtown Manhattan pastry company, William Greenberg Jr. & Company Desserts and Cafes, Inc., where she continued to hone her bookkeeping skills and simultaneously developed a taste for strawberry short cake. Her bookkeeping skills proved to be helpful, when she embarked on her journey into the business world. As the owner of her own real estate brokerage firm, C&C Homes, she worked diligently to become the first licensed Latina real estate broker to own her own business in the East Tremont section of the Bronx. She was proud of this accomplishment and proudly boasted in her advertisements that "Delia Knows the Bronx". Delia was the Secretary of The National Association of Real Estate Professionals and an active member of the East Tremont Merchant's Association. As an individual with deep roots in her community, Delia was committed to fostering the development and progress of the community. As a senior partner in the mortgage brokerage firm, Casado and Crawford Ltd., she helped many first - time homeowners obtain mortgages for their families. Also, as the sole proprietor of a child daycare center, (Delia's Group Family Day Care, Inc.), she provided essential child care services for middle and low income families. Toward the end of her diverse career, Delia worked in the Financial Services Industry as an independent life insurance agent with Primerica Financial Services, Inc. She alongside her daughter Michelle, lead the team the Freedom Fighters within Primerica and in November 2020 Delia was promoted to Regional Leader. At Primerica, she worked toward building her team "The Legacy Builders" by leading by example and promoting leaders at different levels and helping families become debt free and financially independent. She was also working towards completing her securities license. A deeply spiritual person, Delia was raised in the Roman Catholic religion and most recently attended Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church. As an adult Delia was introduced to the premise of the African traditional religion known as Yoruba and became a priestess of Yemaya. As a priestess for 52 years, Delia played a major role in the spiritual awakening of friends, family and acquaintances. As such, she was known to many as "Madrina". Delia or Negri, a nickname given to her by her family and used by close friends, was always a sensitive and compassionate person; willing to help whomever she could; rich, poor, black or white. Her love and concern for others showed no inhibitions. Delia's tenacity and determination to succeed was well known. Failure was never an option for her and the phrase "I can't" was unacceptable. She believed that all your dreams would come to fruition as long as you believed and worked hard to make them come true. Delia passed on May 11, 2023. In her journey to The Lord and into the arms of her beloved son, Colin, V. Artis Jr., this gentle soul leaves behind a daughter, Michelle Artis (Stephanie); a son, Matthew Wallace (LaTanza); three inseparable sisters, Sonia Casado Lopez (Robert, deceased); Wanda Casado Pelz (Joel ); and Marta Figueroa Lopez (Wilfredo); a brother, Angel Louis Casado Sr.; Nieces - Danielle Lopez, Isabella Pelz, Lauren Rodriquez, Vivian Russomanno, Lizette Jardot, and Diane Casado. Nephews - Benjamin Costoso, Angel L. Casado Jr., Joseph Casado, James Casado Sr. (deceased), and Eric Perez; Grandnephews - Jordan C. Ross and Braysen Eli Lenoir, Grandchildren - Madi'lyn Wallace, Raphael Wallace, Javier Wallace, Maurice Morris Jr., Ashley Johnson, Rosetta Cobb, Great grandchildren Kaiden Rivers, Armani Johnson, as well as numerous family and friends. Nuestra querida Negri (Our beloved Negri) Reiste, y bailaste. Pudiste escuchar en silencio y encontrar el camino. Ahora puedes descansar. (You laughed and you danced. You were able to listen in silence and find the path. Now you can rest) Dios te Acompane Negri. Adios. Hasta que volvemos a vernos (God be with you Negri. Goodbye. Until we see each other again.

Delia Wallace

March 12, 1947 - May 11, 2023