Mary Anne Cassilly

Mary Anne Cassilly, 96, of Owensboro passed away on July 17. She was born November 18, 1916 in Chuquicamata, Chile to Arthur and Marie Boynton. Her father was employed by Anaconda Copper to open a copper mine in high Andes. That mine is still the largest copper mine in the world. She was brought up speaking Spanish before English, but at age nine she was sent to attend school in the US at East Moriches Elementary School in Long Island, New York and later at Drew Seminary in Carmel, New York where she was in the National Honor Society. She briefly attended Syracuse University on academic scholarship, but instead enrolled in dental hygienist college in New York City. She graduated and practiced her craft in the city after graduation.

She married John Cassilly in New York after his service in the South Pacific during the Second World War. John was a graduate of Yale University and pursued graduate work at Harvard. Mary and John moved to Owensboro in 1947 where John managed Fleischmann's Distillery until his death in 1958.

Mary was adventurous and well-traveled. When younger she traveled back-and-forth from Chile by ship with her daughter. She spent summer vacations with her sons on Long Island, New York at her mother's home. At Ellis Park one summer she won the daily double and spontaneously purchased a ticket to Italy to visit her son who was attending school in Florence. In her 70s she took her sons to Chile to trace her roots and explore Inca ruins. She enchanted many with stories of her adventures.

Mary lent a helping hand to many in the community and was involved in many charities. In particular, she worked with the Wendell Foster Home where she initiated a program to provide dental care for those in the facility. She was also an active board member of the Boulware Mission for many years.

Offering a sunny disposition and hot coffee (or a cold beer in the old days) to all visitors, Mary held court around her den table looking out over her pond, flowers, and birdfeeders. Mary encouraged open minded debate and the exchange of ideas. Thoughtful and respectful of people from all walks of life, she was available for opinion, advice, or encouragement. She never complained when times were tough and always found the positive side of everything. Her home was a community center for many and a safe and happy place for all in the last 60 years. Her home hosted many epic celebrations that will be remembered and regaled by friends and family. If a person's life is measured in the number of people who loved them Mary's life was the fullest.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband John Paul Cassilly, son James Thomas Cassilly and grandson Billy Ray Clary. She is survived by her brother William George Boynton, daughter JoAnne Elena Clary, son William Paul Cassilly, nephew William George Boynton Jr., granddaughter Jennifer Cassilly Green (Dustin Green), grandsons Daniel Lee Clary (Joan Clary) and Bruce Edward Clary (Rhonda Clary), grand niece Eleanor Boynton, great grandchildren Danielle Moran, Becky Clary, Shawn Clary, and Xoe Rain Green, great great grandchildren Chloe Moran,Amira Hatfield, and Jamison Hatfield, and loving friends and sons of other mothers so numerous.

Mary was a former member of Trinity Episcopal Church. She understood that religious practice is what one gets up and does each day and faith is expressed through care and respect of others regardless of their religious point of view.

The private celebration of Mary's life will be held at her home.

Care has been entrusted to Glenn Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be left at www.glennfuneralhome.com