Betty Louise Cassidy

Betty Louise Cassidy, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at Golden Shore Assisted Living, Benton Harbor. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 11 AM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Pastor Dan Colthorp officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, April 13, from 5 PM until 7 PM at the funeral home. Out of respect for the family and guests in attendance, masks and social distancing will be required. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, www.sjfirstumc.org/donate, or Caring Circle Hospice, www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/caring-circle/give-now/donate. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Betty was born on November 11, 1928, in Benton Harbor, to Thomas & Julia (Thiede) Kirby. She graduated as Valedictorian from Benton Harbor High School in 1947. On July 3, 1948, Betty married the love of her life, Patrick “Pat” Cassidy, in Benton Harbor. The two were happily married for 60 years before his passing in 2009. Betty was employed with Whirlpool Corp., and worked in their financial department for 13 years before retiring in 1985. As a young family they camped in many Michigan state parks and with extended family on holidays. After retirement, Betty and Pat loved to spend the winter months in Florida. Betty also enjoyed traveling with her family throughout the states and Europe. She was a proud member of St. Joseph First United Methodist Church for 60 years, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was also a member of the Young Mrs. Club, where young wives and mothers would get together once a month and plan volunteer events in the surrounding communities. Betty’s hobbies included crafting, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and polka dancing, which she made her mission to teach her daughters to dance. Betty is survived by her daughters, Patti (Bill) Bush of Knox, IN, Peggy DeVries of St. Joseph, Debbie (Greg) Cook of Port St. Joe, FL, and Bonnie (Bryan) Horvath of Edwardsburg, MI; eight grandchildren, Hollie Grantz, Jonathan (Renee) Bush, Tracy (Robert) Amid, Heather (Christian) Cassidy, Amy (Jonathan) Draper, Peter (Beth) Cook, Paul (Melissa) Horvath and Michael (Ashley) Horvath; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Irene Cox; and sister-in-law, Carla Kirby. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas & Julia; husband, Patrick; brothers, Charles, Thomas and Kenneth Kirby; and sisters, Eleanor Dyer and Nancy Kirby (infant).