In Loving Memory...

Sister Adelaide Cassiday, CSC
(Sister M. Thomasina)
Birth: December 28, 1911
Profession: August 15, 1932
Death: March 1, 2006

Today is a time of remembering Sister Adelaide Cassiday, who was born Helen Adelaide, the second daughter of four to Thomas Patrick and Mary Ellen O’Connell Cassiday. Helen Adelaide was born December 28, 1911, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Her mother died when Adelaide was 12 years old. Their father wanted his daughters to have 24-hour care; he sent them to a small boarding school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where they met the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Sisters Adelaide and Anna Marie entered the Congregation August 17, 1929. They were the seventh pair of blood sisters in the community at that time.

Her ministries took her to Illinois, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C., New York, Ohio, Utah and California, spending 13 years teaching in elementary schools; 25 in secondary schools as teacher, assistant principal and counselor; and finally 13 years as the librarian at the Pastoral Center, Washington, D.C. Her first teaching assignment was at Saint Theodore’s School, Chicago, when she was a postulant of 18 years. Her bachelor of arts degree was from Dunbarton College, and her master of arts degree was from Case Western Reserve in Ohio. In 1988 Sister Adelaide came to Saint Mary’s Convent and volunteered as a library aide in the Convent library. In 1992, during the renovation of Saint Mary’s Convent, she resided at Our Lady of Holy Cross, South Bend. After the renovation in 1994 she moved to Rosary Convent where she remained until a few weeks before her death.

Her friends mentioned many of the qualities that characterized her life as her funeral was planned. Her dedication to her assigned time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, her love of music and her desire to harmonize, a quiet shadow to Sister Anna Marie, family loyalty, determination, enthusiastic “yes” when asked to move to the Convent, saying, “Is this permanent?” followed by “Whatever you need me to do – God will tell me and show me the way.” Faithful and supportive were the words, which come to memory now.

On August 15, 1930, she received the habit, made her first profession in 1932 and final profession in 1935. In 1936 Mary Louise (Sister Corona), the youngest of the four Cassiday girls, joined her two blood sisters in Holy Cross.

I had the privilege of spending some time with her nieces, Janet and Peggy, and her nephew, Jack. Their mother was Catherine, the third in the family of four girls. Catherine and her husband, Paul, had 13 children. They have happy memories of their three Holy Cross aunts visiting their home. They already have visions of them playing euchre in heaven.

They said that their three Holy Cross aunts exposed them to people who lived a special life away from the worldly, but of the world; to people who love and respect, not only each other, but all with whom they come in contact; to people who dedicate themselves to Jesus and his mission – which is to fulfill the Beatitudes expressed on the Sermon on Mount and live the Way of the Cross; and finally to the CSC family who celebrate life.

As a young child Sister Anna Marie contracted rheumatic fever. The family formed a perpetual prayer for her recovery, and they believe that her cure was miraculously brought about by the perpetual prayer on her behalf. Growing up, Sister Adelaide took seriously her responsibility to care for Sister Anna Marie. Her father called her his “Chief Gazebo.” They saw her as a problem solver. She learned to drive a car in her sixth decade of life because she needed transportation to the Pastoral Center where she ministered. They believe that she found God in details, and like Jacob in the Bible, she wrestled until she received the blessing.

Late in the afternoon of March 1, the last of the four Cassiday girls joined the other members of her family in heaven and may even be playing euchre and singing. When asked the day before her death whether she was ready to go to God, her response was, “Oh yeah.” May you rest in peace, Adelaide. We will miss you.

Written by Sister M. Joan Elizabeth, CSC

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry With the Poor Fund, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.