Cazania A. Otey

 Cazania “Kaye” Anchinette Otey, of Windsor, CT, was born in Springfield, MA and was blessed with her wings on Sunday morning, April 5, 2020, at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT.  She was a talented and spirited orator that was blessed with a beautiful voice.  Cazania was also an entrepreneur, but more than that, she was a dreamer with a loving heart.  She graduated from The High School of Commerce in 1984 and from Mansfield Cosmetology School in 1985.  A co-owner of Ms. Zela, Daughters, and Company from 1988-2012, she also created and directed Glamor Girls which involved working with and supporting teenage girls in Springfield and Connecticut by involving them in various activities that invoked self-esteem and beauty.  “Cazania was an outstanding mentor.  She really cared about us and our future” as stated by one of the former Glamor Girls.  She was a pageant director for multiple pageants throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.  In 2012, Cazania opened the extravagant beauty salon and spa “A Glamorous Touch” in Bloomfield, CT.  She choreographed different events throughout the community, and it was her dream to be a business tycoon, as well as to open homeless shelters around the country.  She was definitively a go-getter who always had a desire to help others.  Cazania will always be remembered for her motivating spirit, her beautiful smile, her charismatic charm and her outgoing personality.

“My mother always made a way out of no way.  She would give her last if it meant seeing a smile on someone’s face.  We were so in sync with one another; we would finish each other’s sentences and often knew what the other was thinking.  Just one hug from her would make me feel better during a tough situation.  I wish I could get one from her now.  I do not know what I will do without her, but I know she did not leave me alone.  She is my light and her strength will continue to inspire me.  She always had so much love to give to everyone.  She sure did love me and I surely will always love her.  She was an awesome mother and a super nani to her grandson, Skylon.  I love you forever, my beautiful angel” - Your Poohbie, DoManeque.

Pre-deceased by her parents, Thomas and Zela Otey, she is survived by her daughter, DoManeque Boyce;  a step-daughter, Azziza Hillian;  a grandson, Skylon Cooper;  siblings, Shalandria Newman (and husband, Lloyd), Rhonda Jones (and husband, Kenneth), Vera Sostre, Eileen Owens, Michael Bennefield, and Tatiana Bennefield;  her aunts, Dr. Bobbie Rennix (Godmother), Laureen Anderson, Jean Bowman, and Denise Otey;  great aunts, Berthia Woods and Elia Sorrells;  uncles: Paul Anderson, Sam Otey, Kenneth Otey, and Charles Otey;  nieces and nephews, Lin Newman, Zela Jones, Zachary Jones, Dylan Newman, Madison Newman, Kandis Owens, Brandon Owens, Taylor Owens, Reyne Perez, and Leila Menyfield;  former husbands, Donald Hillian and Dwight Boyce;  soul sisters, Christine Saunders and Patricia Kelly;  and a host of cousins and friends. Friends are welcome to drive past the burial site to pay their respects at Hillcrest Park Cemetery, (895 Parker St, Springfield) from 10-11 am Monday.  It will be live streamed on Cazania’s Facebook page.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.

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