Obituaries
Eleanor R. Cassidy, 88
November 09, 2019
Eleanor R. Cassidy died at age 88 on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.
She would tell you herself that she was not a morning person. Or a November person. The brightness and warmth of spring and summer suited her better — and were more like her — than the chill of autumn or the bleak cold of winter.
She was the love and light of the life of her husband, Joseph J. Cassidy Sr., who died in February 1988, and who surely led a legion of angels to greet his beloved Eleanor at heaven’s door. By his side, we know, was their eldest daughter, Carolyn M. Freeman, who died of breast cancer in April 2016. And with them were Eleanor’s parents, Gregory and Dorothy Nicklaus, and the many loved ones — including her sister, Jean Thode — who were waiting for her to join them in heaven.
She is survived by five of her six children: Mary Anne (wife of Samuel Pisano, Lancaster); Joseph (husband of Kathleen Phelan Cassidy, Lititz); Suzanne Cassidy (wife of Peter Fidgett, Lancaster); Margaret (wife of Jack Poplar, Lancaster); and John (husband of Carrie Caldwell Cassidy, Lancaster).
She also is survived by 15 grandchildren (James, Joseph, Christopher, Colleen, Mary Eleanor, Katie, Emily, Joseph, Rose, Julia, Brighid, Erin, Ellie, Jake and Cooper); and seven great-grandchildren (Isabella, Seamus, Cassidy, Emma, Leo, Lucy and Lily).
And her dear siblings: Mary Anne Hanley, Dorothy Fritsch, Paul Nicklaus and Suzanne Krushinsky, all of Lancaster.
Like the Blessed Mother, to whom she prayed throughout her life, Eleanor was full of grace. Full of love. Full of compassion. Full of wisdom. Full of joy, never more evident than when she held a baby in her arms.
She was the heart and soul of her family. She was, as one of her granddaughters put it, all that was good.
She was strengthened and guided, always, by her deep faith, which enabled her to survive the devastating losses of her husband and eldest child. She passed that faith onto her children, and as they face life without her, they are more grateful than ever that she did.
She will live on in the lessons she taught — and the legacy she left — her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “What would Mom do?” or “What would Grandmom (or G-mom, or B-mom, or GG, as she was variously known) do?” will be the question that will guide them for the rest of their lives. They will seek to be generous, because she was. They will try to treat others with kindness, because she did.
She was always ready to offer a warm pair of gloves to someone who needed them, or to offer a comforting word to a crying child — and that child’s frazzled parent — in a store check-out line.
She served countless bowls of chicken soup to her grandchildren, who spent their sick days with her when their parents were at work (they may or may not have been really sick; they may have just wanted a day with her). A voracious reader and graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School — who worked to ensure that her children all earned college degrees — she valued education. But she also knew her kids and grandkids valued the restorative power of a school day spent on her couch, in her care.
She was a constant and loving presence in the life of her family. Whether on a beach (where she truly loved to be), or in her home, her children and grandchildren loved spending time with her, assured always that she loved spending time with them.
The pleasure of her company was a treasured thing. She was quietly funny, brilliant and engaged in the world around her. She offered advice and was quick to offer help, but she was never judgmental.
She counted her blessings frequently, and urged her children to count theirs, too. They’ll count her — their beautiful, loving and spectacular mom — as a blessing forever.
Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, at her longtime parish, St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, 929 N. Duke St., Lancaster. Friends and family members will be received from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. before the Mass at St. Anne’s. Interment will follow in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Eleanor Cassidy’s honor to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Anne’s, which helps to fund the church’s weekday brown bag lunch program for those in need: St. Anne’s Rectory, 929 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
November 23, 2019
So sorry to hear of cousin Eleanor’s passing. She was a lovely person and will be missed by all. We will miss her at the family reunions .. but will hope to meet her in the eternal reunion in heaven.
Paula and Mike Akiya
November 18, 2019
To all the Cassidy family members, please accept my sympathy on the passing of your incredible Matriarch. As neighbors from Skyline Drive, I can remember being fascinated by your wonderful and large extended family. Your mom exemplified a faithful heart and hope that her being reunited with your dad and Carol brings you some peace at this difficult time.
Love,
Ann (Melville) Conway (Ralph & Daveena’s daughter)
November 14, 2019
Eleanor, you were always so sweet and kind to me, love just shown right from you. Everytime we would visit you always said come back and visit with me. Stop by anytime. I know we will visit, Carol too for a long time next time I see you again. You are so loved. I’m so blessed to have known you and your family. God bless you Eleanor. Love gerri
November 14, 2019
To all the Cassidy & Pisano family members, you have our deepest sympathy as you say goodbye to such a wonderful, lovely Mother & Grandmother. It was an honor to witness her love of the children she raised and the Grandchildren she guided so successfully. You are all so fortunate to have had her in your lives so long. Find comfort in the celebration you know is happening for her in heaven. Pretty sure she landed a Primo location with a pool! God Bless!
Love,
Steve & Mary (Muldowney) Dettinger
November 13, 2019
Sorry for your lost of special Eleanor Cassidy. We know and Met Eleanor through Carolyn Freeman, Our special friend and a former great Teacher at IU13 with Special Needs students. Carolyn passed and we kept in touch with Eleanor. We appreciated Eleanor’s openess to us and enjoyed our times at their home. We just saw her in the summer and appreciated her in every way at our past visits. She will be missed and now can Rest In Peace with her husband and Carolyn. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you all. Hugs and Love From Lisa and Her Parents ( Bob and Betty Ciccarelli).
November 12, 2019
To the Cassidy family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have the fondest memories of my conversations with Eleanor over the back yard fence on Skyline Drive. A neighbor who has never been forgotten. An excellent tribute to a lovely lady.
Jocelyn Kline
November 11, 2019
I have read this numerous times. Everything is SO true about our Aunt Eleanor, your Mom. The legacy of her love she leaves behind is truly amazing. The love comes through from all her children, their wives and children. She was a very, very special person. Sorry for your loss.
Mark Cassidy
November 11, 2019
I remember Eleanor, her parents & siblings from Sacred Heart Church, Grade School & Catholic High. She was a lovely person & very well liked. What a fabulous family. The obit was absolutely the best I ever read. (Suzanne–I’m sure you wrote it) Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you.
Love, Bob & Mary Anne Aichele
November 11, 2019
I can think of no more appropriate words for this beautiful lady, than this quote from Henry Van Dyke. Gone From My Sight. I am standing upon the seashore. A ship spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and the sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says:” There she is gone!”
” Gone where?”
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mask and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says,” There, she is gone!” There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout,
‘ Here she comes!”
And that is dying.
Laurie’s and my thoughts are for you today and pray God will bring you peace in your loss
Terry Caldwell
November 10, 2019
Bishop Menna says it so accurately! Her loves lives on in the family that she nurtured! She was the ultimate nuturer. I always treasured my Aunt Eleanor!
Phil Cassidy
November 10, 2019
Aunt Eleanor was a saint living amongst us. All of her Cassidy and Winning nieces and nephews adored her. She was the kindest and most caring woman. Aunt Eleanor always showed how much she loved her husband, our Uncle Joe, and her children, our cousins.
Michael Cassidy
November 10, 2019
A wonderful tribute to your mother. I admire her for raising such a feisty and successful family. May she Rest In Peace.
Fondly,
Mary Lynn Hobday DiPaolo
November 10, 2019
The whole entire Cassidy family is in my thoughts and prayers. Eleanor was one special lady that I felt so very honored to have met. I first met her when she would come into Carol’s class at Warwick. Carol often talked about her mother in such a loving way, and I think all of us in that class got to know her before we actually got to meet her in person. It was always enjoyablecwhen she would stop in. I am so very thankful that quite a few of us were sble to enjoy breakfast with her this past summer at Oregon Dairy. My heart does feel a happy peace knowing she has reunited with her loved ones in heaven. My sympathy to her fsmily. What a legacy she has left. Audrey Weber
November 10, 2019
I remember the Cassidy family well. Mrs. Cassidy loved Catholic education for her children. God bless the family.
George Garbrick
November 10, 2019
Eleanor may you rest in peace in the arms of our Father and in the presence of all those who have gone before you , my condolences to the family in whom which you will live on. May your memories of her always keep her close. Love is eternal and knows no end .
Paul and Denise Lee
November 10, 2019
Such a beautiful obituary for such a beautiful person. My brothers and I are sending thoughts,prayers, and love to your entire family.
Katie Midgley (Griffin)
November 09, 2019
Eleanor Cassidy was one of the sweetest women I have ever known. She truly made you immediately feel like a member of her family. I wish I would have met her sooner in my life, but am so grateful for the times I shared with her and her wonderful family. The legacy she leaves behind with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren is one that would make anyone proud! I will really miss her and love all of you! Heaven just got a very SPECIAL ANGEL.
Anitra Hampton
November 09, 2019
Truly a saintly woman who lived and shared the love of her Lord, Jesus. May her memory be eternal. Her loves lives on in the wonderful family she nurtured.
Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Menna, AIHM
- Visitation
- Thursday, November 14, 2019
- 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church
- 929 N. Duke Street
- Lancaster, PA 17602
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Thursday, November 14, 2019
- 11:00 AM
- St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church
- 929 N. Duke Street
- Lancaster, PA 17602
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
