Dr. Margaret L. "Midge" Cassidy

“Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.”

Dr. Margaret L. “Midge” Cassidy, 86, of Rockland, MA, entered into eternal life on February 11, 2026. Margaret was born on March 30, 1939, in Columbus, Ohio, to John Milo, Sr. and Evangeline Ellen (Ward) Cassidy. The youngest daughter in a family of ten children, she was raised in a devoted Irish-Catholic home where faith, education, and loyalty to family were cornerstones to life.

She graduated from Holy Rosary High School in 1957. Inspired in part by her father’s lifelong hope that one of his children would enter religious life, Margaret prayerfully discerned her own calling and, at 18 years old, entered Stella Niagara Convent in Stella Niagara, New York, joining the Franciscan Sisters. In answering that call, she honored both her faith and her father’s dream.

During her 21 years in religious life, Margaret devoted herself to education and spiritual formation. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Rosary Hill College (now Daemen University) in 1962, her master’s degree in education administration and supervision from St. Bonaventure University in 1973, and her doctoral degree in education and leadership from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1977. There, she studied under the mentorship of Dr. Harvey Scribner, former New York City Schools Chancellor, who became one of her strongest professional champions.

Her ministry and professional life were marked by high standards, humility, and persistence. She served as a teacher and later as principal of Sacred Heart School in Charleston, West Virginia. Following completion of her doctorate, she worked as an education coordinator supporting 28 elementary and secondary schools across four states, including New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and West Virginia.

After leaving the Franciscan order, Margaret continued her life’s work in public service with the Massachusetts Department of Education. For nearly 27 years, she served in roles that included Regional Program Officer overseeing federal innovation programs and, later, leading teams to review and approve Massachusetts’s higher-education educator preparation programs. She was respected across the state and the field for her integrity, intellect, and commitment to ensuring high-quality education for future generations of teachers. She retired in December 2005.

Margaret always maintained a deep commitment to her family. She was a devoted and guiding presence in the lives of her 36 nieces and nephews, 65 great-nieces and nephews, and 41 great-great-nieces and nephews — and godmother to three — all of whom knew her affectionately as “Aunt Midge.” She invested deeply in their education, faith, and futures. Her generosity culminated in the establishment of the Margaret L. Cassidy Education Trust, created to remove financial barriers to higher education for members of her family — a lasting testament to her belief that education changes lives.

More personally, Aunt Midge was always a phone call away. From Boston to Columbus, from Louisville to Detroit, and wherever her family members lived, she offered a listening, nonjudgmental ear and sound advice. She kept track of each niece’s and nephew’s birthdays, interests, and milestones through faithful handwritten correspondence. Her cards and letters, written in her beautiful cursive handwriting, are cherished keepsakes among her family.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, John Milo, Sr. and Evangeline Ellen (Ward) Cassidy; her sisters Patricia Ann (Cassidy) Hinton, Mara Bernadette (Cassidy) Frey, and Geraldine Mae (Cassidy) Felker; and her brothers John Milo Cassidy, Jr., Bernard Joseph, Francis Patrick, George Michael, Paul Harry, and Dennis Edward Cassidy.

She is survived by her loving nieces and nephews and generations of great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, all of whom carry forward her legacy.

Margaret spent her final days in the loving and exceptional care of the Cotter House in Worthington, Ohio. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the “Cotter Crew” — the caregivers and staff whose compassion and attentiveness brought comfort and dignity to her final chapter.

Visitation will be 4-7 PM on Monday, February 16, 2026, with the prayer of the Holy Rosary beginning at 6:45 PM, at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 4661 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH. Mass of Christian burial will be 11 AM on Tuesday, February 17, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 82 E. William Street, Delaware, OH.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kenney Family Foundation, 800 Proprietors Road, Worthington, OH 43085, which supports the continued education and care of the “Cotter Crew,” or to the Alzheimer’s Association, sponsor of the Walk to Cure Alzheimer’s — one of Margaret’s final adventures, when she joyfully participated in support of the cause.