Mary Myrtle Cassidy, age 77, died peacefully on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Wild Rose Manor

following a long illness with Alzheimer‘s Disease.

She was born December 3, 1936 in the Township of Poy Sippi, the daughter of Edward and Adrienne

Eldred Cassidy. She was a 1955 graduate of Berlin High School. She went on to Oshkosh Teachers

College where she received a life teaching certificate in 1960. She was united in marriage to Larry

Vanderhoef. They lived in Plainfield until Mary’s illness made her go to the Wild Rose Manor, where

she spent the last four years of her life.

While at Oshkosh, Mary was one of the founding members of PSI Epsilon fraternity. Mary was

hired to teach school in Fond du Lac and she stayed there until her retirement in 1986. She taught

at many schools in the Fond du Lac School District, and had many fond memories of the students

she taught and the staff she worked with. Mary also spent many hours working for the Catholic

Church in Fond du Lac, the community theater while she taught school there, and was also a state

representative for BPW, Business and Professional Women’s Organization. She traveled extensively

promoting this organization. Mary was a world traveler on her own, going to many parts of the world

including one trip around the world in 1969. After retiring as a teacher, she became a substitute

teacher for the next 15 years and also the treasurer for the Waushara County Retired Teachers

Association for many years. She was a member and mentor of the Loyal Homemakers and Loyal 4-

H Club. Mary was a life member and treasurer for the Wisconsin Trappers Association for five years

and a director with the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation for almost 20 years until her illness made it

impossible to continue.

She is survived by her husband, Larry of Plainfield; brother, Leo (Jean) Cassidy of Berlin and their

three children, Shawn (Michele) Cassidy, Gene (Crystal) Cassidy and Carey (fiancé Dan Johannes)

Cassidy, all of Berlin; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father in

1960 and her mother in 1987.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 31, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Barbola Funeral Chapel

in Berlin, the Rev. David Greenfield officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Thomas Cemetery

in the Township of Poygan. Friends and relatives may call on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until

the time of services at the funeral chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at

barbolafc@yahoo.com. Mary’s favorite Irish saying, May the happiest day of your past be the

saddest day of your future! We will miss you.