Frances I. Cassidy

Mrs. Frances I. Cassidy, 99, passed away Jan. 19, 2023, at home in New River, Ariz., surrounded by a number of her children and grandchildren. 

Frances was born Aug. 29, 1923 in Hannibal, Mo., the daughter of Everett and Cleo (Sharp) Bross. She was a graduate of Mendon High School and married Elmer Cassidy of Quincy, Ill., on July 17, 1943. 

Frances and Elmer lived in Rosemont, Ill. for 45 years, where they lovingly raised 14 children before retiring to a small farm in Palmyra, Mo. 

During the years spent raising her children, she worked diligently: cooking, cleaning, gardening, sewing and teaching her children to love each other and to love the Lord. You would never hear a word of complaint from her; she took both the easy and hard with grace. 

After many years of being a homemaker, she began work as an office manager at Elmer’s company, Jem Tool Mfg. in Bensenville, Ill., where she worked until retirement. She loved to read her Bible and lived her faith every day.

Her and Elmer’s home in Missouri, known as “The Farm,” was founded in love and built up by them and their family. Frances and Elmer took the Lord seriously, and it showed in the way they welcomed all to their home. 

Frances had a passion for hard work. Whether she was working inside, cooking for her family, or outside, tending her garden or maintaining the property, you could hear her singing praises to the Lord. She also had a passion for building fires; when it came to gathering firewood, she would not be outdone! 

Frances never wasted an opportunity to speak the love of Jesus to all who crossed paths with her. She was humble, courageous, tender and compassionate. She could be heard praying nightly for her loved ones, even in her final days.

Frances is survived by 10 daughters and three sons, Sue Cassidy, Kathryn (David, deceased) Lundquist, Wesley (Jane) Cassidy, Martha (Carey) Driver, Jonathan (Linda) Cassidy, David Cassidy, Karen (Alex) Nuzzo, Rebecca (Gary) Tillman, Frances (Frank) Titoni, Colleen (James) Benedetto, Nancy (John) Kopecky, Janine (Richard) DeCoste and Jullene (Steve) Cocozza.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer R. Cassidy; son, Daniel Cassidy; two grandsons, Robert Targosz and Steve Coccozza; three sisters and five brothers.

Frances was the grandmother of 90, great-grandmother of 222, and great-great-grandmother of 27. The legacy she leaves behind is proof of a life well lived.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, with the location  to be announced on Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel’s obituary page.

Pallbearers are Wesley Cassidy, Jonathan Cassidy, David Cassidy, Gary Tillman, Carey Driver and Richard DeCoste. 

Honorary pallbearers are Alex Nuzzo, Frank Titoni, James Benedetto, John Kopecky and Steve Cocozza. 

The funeral service will be live streamed through Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel. Follow the link on their obituary page or go to https://my.gather.app/remember/frances-ione-cassidy. The live stream will start shortly before the service begins.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 27, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel, 424 Main St., Palmyra, Mo. 63461.

Memorials may be made to GiGi’s Playhouse Downs Syndrome Achievement Center, 2350 Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, Ill. 60169.