Dee Kassab

(From Parker Mortuary)

Dolores "Dee" Bove Kassab passed away peacefully on October 11th, 2026. She was surrounded by loved ones in her favorite place: her Joplin, Missouri home.

Dee was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 15, 1933 to Antionette and Anthony Bove, immigrants from Naples, Italy. Dee was a true New Yorker, and brought that zeal to Joplin in 1953 when she married the love of her life, Leon Kassab. She and Leon met while he was at market in New York buying for his family clothing store "Kassab's." Between his Syrian heritage and her Italian one, their kitchen became a legendary gathering place.

While settling into Joplin life, Dee made many friends and loved spending time with them. She was a member of Twin Hills Country Club and Millennium Family Fitness where she spent time as an avid golf and tennis player. She was a founding member and past president of The Board Investment Club, and a member and past president of Wednesday Study Club. She especially enjoyed her annual fall trips to New York City for the Pi Phi Theater Tour where she would spend the week seeing the latest Broadway shows and restaurant hopping with friends and family.

Dee received high honors with her Masters of Music from Pittsburg State University and was a notable coloratura soprano. Classical music was an important part of Dee's life, and she spent many hours teaching her students, children and grandchildren all about the arts. She was an original board member of the Heartland Opera Theater and was thrilled to help bring it to the Four States area.

She built her career in the second half of her life when she became an owner of Pro 100 Realtors with her partners in 1983. Dee took the Joplin real estate market by storm. She loved people and had an unstoppable talent when it came to sales. Dee was an active member of the National Association of Realtors, a member of Realtors PAC, a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Club, spent several years as the Chairwoman of Missouri Business Week and served on its board.

Dee was a member of St. Philips Episcopal Church and St. Peter's Church. Her faith in Jesus was her great treasure, and she carried a unique spirit of generosity. She especially loved the children at the Ozark Center for Autism and served on its board, along with serving on the Brushstroke Board for the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army and the March of Dimes boards. She was Chairperson for the American Heart Association, was a member of P.E.O., and a Century Member of the United Way.

Dee's greatest source of joy was her role as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her advice was always to have a great attitude, and that with God's help you can draw upon the love you have for your family and get through any dire situation.

Dee was preceded in death by her husband Leon Kassab, her daughter Reneé Kassab, and her granddaughter Reneé Blanchard. She is survived by her daughter Karolee (Kent Blanchard); her son Ralph Kassab (Patti); her granddaughter Kristen (Brant Ansley); her grandson Leon Kassab (Laura); her granddaughter Lillian Kassab; her grandson Will Blanchard; and her great-grandchildren Mercer and Blanchard Ansley, Guy and Isaac Kassab, and Ariana and Lanaia Kassab.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MSSU Foundation, St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Joplin Humane Society, or Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO 65801) in Memory of Dee Kassab.

Interment will be Monday, October 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, MO. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Joplin, MO. Visitation will be held immediately following the funeral services.