Irma M. Schretter

Irma M. Schretter, a unique and vibrant life force has left this world on Friday, November 15, 2024 at the age of 84.

Irma was a trailblazer—a driven and tireless professional who founded her own company while maintaining an even stronger commitment to her family as a loving wife, devoted mother, and deeply caring relative. Strong-willed and determined, yet defined by a warmth and compassion that touched everyone she met, Irma was a steadfast friend, an inspiring mentor to many, a passionate Boston sports fan, a devoted lover of music and the arts, and a lifelong learner who continuously strove for self-improvement. There is no doubt that she will make the next world a better and more interesting place.

Irma was born in Providence, RI and upon graduation from High School was given two educational options – a teaching or a secretarial degree. She received a degree as a legal secretary from Boston University and soon established herself as a superstar at the firm Goodwin, Procter and Hoar in Boston where her lightning speed typing and shorthand were legendary.

The firm soon acknowledged Irma’s skills and strong work ethic and encouraged her to pursue a bachelor’s degree, which she did at night, earning a BS from Boston University. Under the on-going mentorship of one of the firm’s partners Irma advanced quickly and when her mentor left the firm to form his own investment/venture capital firm, Irma left with him to serve as his personal assistant. Over the next 5-6 years, the firm paid for Irma to once again return to BU at night for a Business Degree. When she earned her MBA in 1967, Irma was one of only two women in a class of 130 students.

After graduation, Irma was promoted from Personal Assistant to Securities Analyst. Her position later shifted to real estate while working as a project manager for a subsidiary company and she eventually became the head of management for a successor company that developed and managed affordable housing.

In 1976, Irma became the VP and General Manager for Winn Management Company, It was there that she met and married Roger Cassin, a real estate developer. In 1979, at the age of almost 40 and while several months pregnant with their first child, Irma had the “guts” to forge out on her own and found S-C Management Corp. which she continued to own and run until her retirement in 2014.

Irma was highly active in many professional and civic organizations including the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM); where she earned the Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation, was named Manager of the Year in 1981, and served as President in 1983. She was also a respected instructor in professional property management and served on the Advisory Committee of the Mass Housing Finance Agency (MHFA).

In addition to professional commitments, Irma served on the Boards of the Children’s Center of Brookline, Hearth Housing of Boston and Jewish Housing for the Elderly (now 2Life Communities).

A valued mentor to many young people, perhaps her most rewarding mentoring experience was a lifelong relationship with a first grader in a Boston Public school program. Irma began by tutoring this child in remedial reading, and continued to mentor him through elementary school, facilitating his acceptance to a private high school and eventually college. That was Irma.

However, the greatest love of Irma’s life were her sons, Peter Cassin of Cambridge and Michael Cassin, his wife Nastaran (Hakimi), and Irma’s granddaughter Emma, of Boston. Regardless of how busy her life, she was always on the sidelines cheering them on. In addition to her sons, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, Irma leaves her husband, Roger Cassin, her sister Joyce Heine, her brother Stanley Schretter and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebration of Irma’s life will be held at the Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard St., Brookline on Wednesday, November 20 at 11:00am. Interment will immediately follow at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut St., Newton, after which friends, neighbors and family are invited for lunch at the Cassin/Schretter family home until 4pm.

The family will sit shiva at Cassin/Schretter family home beginning Wednesday evening from 7-9pm (minyan at 7:30pm) and continuing Thursday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm (minyan at 7:30pm) and Friday from 2-4pm.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to 2Life Communities (www.2lifecommunities.org/donate or 30 Wallingford Road, Brighton, MA 02135) or Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Endowment (www.jbbbs.org/donate or 1430 Main St, Waltham, MA 02451). If contributing to Jewish Big Brother Big Sister, please note “Cassin/Schretter Scholarship Fund” in the memo line to distinguish your gift for this specific purpose.