Obituary for Elizabeth Ann Cassidy (Blanchard)
Elizabeth “Beth” A. Cassidy (nee Blanchard), 89, of Randallstown, MD, passed away in her home surrounded by her family, on the morning of Friday, March 12, 2021. A model of grace, faith, strength, kindness, and quiet determination, she will continue to inspire all those who were fortunate to know her. Her legacy is great love!
A Maine native, Beth always insisted (with her Maine accent) that the skies were “blue-ah and the grass green-ah” there. She was the apple of her parent’s eyes and the younger sister of two loving brothers, Albert and George. She grew up enjoying Maine’s beaches, strolling through her mother’s bountiful flower and vegetable gardens, eating wild blueberries, and ice skating on nearby Beaver Pond. This ignited a love of the outdoors that she maintained and shared with her family her entire life. The variety of birds at the feeder just outside of her kitchen window were a constant source of joy. She eagerly awaited the many crocuses and numerous daffodils (cuttings of which she generously shared with friends) and flowering dogwood trees that bloomed in her yard each spring. She kept a few indoor flowering plants year-round, and as the weather warmed, she added annual flowers outside, weeding and watering them faithfully.
In 1953, Beth met the love of her life, Patrick “Pat” J. Cassidy, in Washington, D.C., when she represented the state of Maine as a Cherry Blossom Princess at the Cherry Blossom Festival. He was a Captain in the Air Force Reserves and was part of the Festival’s honor guard. It was not long before their love story blossomed. They married in 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in her small paper mill hometown of Westbrook, ME.
At the outset of their marriage, Pat’s rising career path led to many moves over a short time. Richmond, VA; Rockville, MD; and Philadelphia, PA, were but a few locations where the growing family lived. They finally landed outside of Baltimore in Randallstown, MD, in 1965.
Beth lost Pat to cancer in 1971 when she was 39 years old. She cherished their 15 years of marriage and committed her life to their five children. Thankfully, she was surrounded by supportive friends and family including Pat’s large and loving Irish family. The Cassidy clan adored Beth. “Families double the joy and divide the sorrow” she often shared.
Small acts of kindness from family, friends and neighbors meant the world to her. A ride to baseball practice, a home opened for a brief respite, or a financial plan mapped out after dinner—these are just a few gifts of the love and generosity provided to the Cassidy family. The network that came together to support her and her family was incredible and was often remembered and appreciated over these past 50 years. She frequently remarked that she could never repay them.
Her 30+ years of service working at Northwest Hospital was a testament to her commitment and dedication to provide for her family. Beth’s love of family and steadfast Catholic faith also sustained her through difficult times.
“Hello, sweet-haht” (that’s “sweetheart” with that Maine accent) was the phrase she often used to greet those closest to her. It always warmed every grandchild's heart when Grammy greeted them at countless school plays, birthday parties, when she was babysitting or even before she crushed them at backgammon. Mostly, she just loved spending time with all her treasures. She was an integral part of her children and grandchildren’s lives whether they lived near or far. She drove kids to school, watched backyard fireworks, attended preschool celebrations, musical recitals, First Communions, and graduations. She cherished living room piano performances and marveled at the artistry of her favorite pen and ink sketches.
Though firmly rooted in Maryland, she traveled the world to visit her daughters, her naval officer sons-in-law, and their families. Beth ate noodles in a soba house in Okinawa, Japan, celebrated New Years under a canopy of fireworks in Naples, Italy; rode a scooter along Bermuda’s beautiful coast; straddled the Continental Divide in Iceland; and was serenaded by an elk while enjoying the majesty of Rocky Mountain National Park.
She was a faithful watcher of Jeopardy, kept her mind sharp with word Jumbles and always enjoyed a walk on the beach. She even revisited those beloved cherry blossoms with children and grandchildren in tow. Through it all, she humbly remarked how blessed she had been in life, often adding, “You have to count your blessings. It’s what keeps you going.”
Beth is survived by two brothers: Albert Blanchard, George Blanchard and his wife Barbara; five children: Patrick Cassidy, Cathleen Sokolowski and her husband Michael, Kevin Cassidy and his wife Mary Kaye, Ann Marie Campbell and her husband Donald, Maryann Kearns and her husband Marty; 12 grandchildren (Kevin, Christopher, Daniel, Mary Kate, Matthew, Mary Emily, Christina, Elizabeth, Joseph, Robert, Connor, Meredith) also lovingly referred to as her “scrumptious bunches”; and many more loving in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, March 19, 2021 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home, 1212 West Old Liberty Road, Winfield, MD 21784. Social Distancing and mask are required at the funeral home.
The funeral will be held Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9531 Liberty Rd, Randallstown, MD 21133. Social Distancing and mask are required at the church. For those unable to attend the funeral service on Saturday, please go to https://www.youtube.com/user/NSystemsInc to view the livestream of mom's celebration of life.
link will be active at approximately 9:50AM Saturday.
Followed by a private burial.
Donations may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, 9531 Liberty Rd. Randallstown, MD 21133 www.holyfamilyrandallstown.org/giving
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Beloved by so many, she managed to find joy in the everyday and share that joy with those around her. May she rest in peace with only the bluest skies and greenest grass.
Arrangements by Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A. Online Condolences at www.Burrier-Queen.com.
A Maine native, Beth always insisted (with her Maine accent) that the skies were “blue-ah and the grass green-ah” there. She was the apple of her parent’s eyes and the younger sister of two loving brothers, Albert and George. She grew up enjoying Maine’s beaches, strolling through her mother’s bountiful flower and vegetable gardens, eating wild blueberries, and ice skating on nearby Beaver Pond. This ignited a love of the outdoors that she maintained and shared with her family her entire life. The variety of birds at the feeder just outside of her kitchen window were a constant source of joy. She eagerly awaited the many crocuses and numerous daffodils (cuttings of which she generously shared with friends) and flowering dogwood trees that bloomed in her yard each spring. She kept a few indoor flowering plants year-round, and as the weather warmed, she added annual flowers outside, weeding and watering them faithfully.
In 1953, Beth met the love of her life, Patrick “Pat” J. Cassidy, in Washington, D.C., when she represented the state of Maine as a Cherry Blossom Princess at the Cherry Blossom Festival. He was a Captain in the Air Force Reserves and was part of the Festival’s honor guard. It was not long before their love story blossomed. They married in 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in her small paper mill hometown of Westbrook, ME.
At the outset of their marriage, Pat’s rising career path led to many moves over a short time. Richmond, VA; Rockville, MD; and Philadelphia, PA, were but a few locations where the growing family lived. They finally landed outside of Baltimore in Randallstown, MD, in 1965.
Beth lost Pat to cancer in 1971 when she was 39 years old. She cherished their 15 years of marriage and committed her life to their five children. Thankfully, she was surrounded by supportive friends and family including Pat’s large and loving Irish family. The Cassidy clan adored Beth. “Families double the joy and divide the sorrow” she often shared.
Small acts of kindness from family, friends and neighbors meant the world to her. A ride to baseball practice, a home opened for a brief respite, or a financial plan mapped out after dinner—these are just a few gifts of the love and generosity provided to the Cassidy family. The network that came together to support her and her family was incredible and was often remembered and appreciated over these past 50 years. She frequently remarked that she could never repay them.
Her 30+ years of service working at Northwest Hospital was a testament to her commitment and dedication to provide for her family. Beth’s love of family and steadfast Catholic faith also sustained her through difficult times.
“Hello, sweet-haht” (that’s “sweetheart” with that Maine accent) was the phrase she often used to greet those closest to her. It always warmed every grandchild's heart when Grammy greeted them at countless school plays, birthday parties, when she was babysitting or even before she crushed them at backgammon. Mostly, she just loved spending time with all her treasures. She was an integral part of her children and grandchildren’s lives whether they lived near or far. She drove kids to school, watched backyard fireworks, attended preschool celebrations, musical recitals, First Communions, and graduations. She cherished living room piano performances and marveled at the artistry of her favorite pen and ink sketches.
Though firmly rooted in Maryland, she traveled the world to visit her daughters, her naval officer sons-in-law, and their families. Beth ate noodles in a soba house in Okinawa, Japan, celebrated New Years under a canopy of fireworks in Naples, Italy; rode a scooter along Bermuda’s beautiful coast; straddled the Continental Divide in Iceland; and was serenaded by an elk while enjoying the majesty of Rocky Mountain National Park.
She was a faithful watcher of Jeopardy, kept her mind sharp with word Jumbles and always enjoyed a walk on the beach. She even revisited those beloved cherry blossoms with children and grandchildren in tow. Through it all, she humbly remarked how blessed she had been in life, often adding, “You have to count your blessings. It’s what keeps you going.”
Beth is survived by two brothers: Albert Blanchard, George Blanchard and his wife Barbara; five children: Patrick Cassidy, Cathleen Sokolowski and her husband Michael, Kevin Cassidy and his wife Mary Kaye, Ann Marie Campbell and her husband Donald, Maryann Kearns and her husband Marty; 12 grandchildren (Kevin, Christopher, Daniel, Mary Kate, Matthew, Mary Emily, Christina, Elizabeth, Joseph, Robert, Connor, Meredith) also lovingly referred to as her “scrumptious bunches”; and many more loving in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, March 19, 2021 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home, 1212 West Old Liberty Road, Winfield, MD 21784. Social Distancing and mask are required at the funeral home.
The funeral will be held Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9531 Liberty Rd, Randallstown, MD 21133. Social Distancing and mask are required at the church. For those unable to attend the funeral service on Saturday, please go to https://www.youtube.com/user/NSystemsInc to view the livestream of mom's celebration of life.
link will be active at approximately 9:50AM Saturday.
Followed by a private burial.
Donations may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, 9531 Liberty Rd. Randallstown, MD 21133 www.holyfamilyrandallstown.org/giving
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Beloved by so many, she managed to find joy in the everyday and share that joy with those around her. May she rest in peace with only the bluest skies and greenest grass.
Arrangements by Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A. Online Condolences at www.Burrier-Queen.com.