Obituary for Rae Coogan Cassidy
Rae Coogan Cassidy peacefully passed away January 9th, 2021 with family by her side. Born Rae Ellen Coogan, in Buffalo, New York on July 20th, 1933, her parents were John and Margaret Coogan of Dunkirk.
Rae was a lifelong resident of the Dunkirk-Fredonia area and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1950. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Records from Rosary Hill College (now Daemen College) in 1954 and worked in the medical records department at the Buffalo General Hospital for several years. Rae continued her work in medical records at Brooks Memorial Hospital as well as working for the family business, Lake Shore Delivery, until marrying James R. Cassidy on July 27, 1963. Rae returned to work in 1985 as Medical Records Administrator of Westfield Memorial Hospital from where she retired in 1996.
Rae was incredibly proud to be home with her children and was very involved in their activities, as well as with the community. Over the years, she was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish, Shorewood Country Club, The Dunkirk Club, The Brooks Women’s Auxiliary, The Jayncees, The American Association of University Women and an officer of the Fredonia PTA. She also was actively involved in Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, and for many years ran the Fredonia High School Ski Club.
While raising their children, Rae and Jim created a very open and comfortable home, which became a welcomed gathering place for friends, and a place to stay when people were in need. Later in life, they had the opportunity to travel often and especially enjoyed their trips to Ireland.
She is survived by her children Anne “Garret” Negri (Craig), John “Randy” Cassidy (Karen), Margaret “Meg” Cassidy, Jennifer Cassidy, Amy Lehman (Zachary), James Cassidy (Holly) and Joseph Cassidy (Elizabeth). She was also the proud Grandmother of 17 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Jack Coogan and her brothers-in-law Walt Lyons and David Forney, a sister-in-law Cindy Cassidy as well as 38 nieces and nephews. Rae was predeceased by her husband Jim in 2013 and a daughter Robin B. Menard and sisters Jane Foley, Mary Ann Holzwarth, Margaret Stroth, Kathleen Lyons and Susan Forney.
There will be no public visitation however there will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday January 14th at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Fredonia where there will be a limited capacity of 75. Our family is grateful for all of our loving friends and family and we understand that, in this difficult time, participating in such a gathering is a risk. We want you to know that our primary concern is for the safety and health of all and we know you will be there through thoughts and prayers if not in person.
Donations in Rae’s name can be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice. Condolences can be made online at larsontimko.com or can be sent to Meg Cassidy, 512 Vosburg Road, Webster, NY 14580 and will be passed on to all family members.
Rae was a lifelong resident of the Dunkirk-Fredonia area and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1950. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Records from Rosary Hill College (now Daemen College) in 1954 and worked in the medical records department at the Buffalo General Hospital for several years. Rae continued her work in medical records at Brooks Memorial Hospital as well as working for the family business, Lake Shore Delivery, until marrying James R. Cassidy on July 27, 1963. Rae returned to work in 1985 as Medical Records Administrator of Westfield Memorial Hospital from where she retired in 1996.
Rae was incredibly proud to be home with her children and was very involved in their activities, as well as with the community. Over the years, she was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish, Shorewood Country Club, The Dunkirk Club, The Brooks Women’s Auxiliary, The Jayncees, The American Association of University Women and an officer of the Fredonia PTA. She also was actively involved in Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, and for many years ran the Fredonia High School Ski Club.
While raising their children, Rae and Jim created a very open and comfortable home, which became a welcomed gathering place for friends, and a place to stay when people were in need. Later in life, they had the opportunity to travel often and especially enjoyed their trips to Ireland.
She is survived by her children Anne “Garret” Negri (Craig), John “Randy” Cassidy (Karen), Margaret “Meg” Cassidy, Jennifer Cassidy, Amy Lehman (Zachary), James Cassidy (Holly) and Joseph Cassidy (Elizabeth). She was also the proud Grandmother of 17 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Jack Coogan and her brothers-in-law Walt Lyons and David Forney, a sister-in-law Cindy Cassidy as well as 38 nieces and nephews. Rae was predeceased by her husband Jim in 2013 and a daughter Robin B. Menard and sisters Jane Foley, Mary Ann Holzwarth, Margaret Stroth, Kathleen Lyons and Susan Forney.
There will be no public visitation however there will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday January 14th at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Fredonia where there will be a limited capacity of 75. Our family is grateful for all of our loving friends and family and we understand that, in this difficult time, participating in such a gathering is a risk. We want you to know that our primary concern is for the safety and health of all and we know you will be there through thoughts and prayers if not in person.
Donations in Rae’s name can be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice. Condolences can be made online at larsontimko.com or can be sent to Meg Cassidy, 512 Vosburg Road, Webster, NY 14580 and will be passed on to all family members.