Reata was born February 11, 1942 in Brewer, Maine to Ruby M.
Gillies & Alden E. Warren, and spent most of her young life
in Portland, Maine.
Reata was the fourth of five children: brothers Ernest Glenn (Betty
predeceased) of CA (predeceased),Walter (Sharyn) of NH, sisters
Pauline (Philip predeceased) Gould of MA (predeceased) and Joan
(Michael predeceased) Grady of ME. She married William E. Cassidy
in September 1965 in South Harwich, Cape Cod, MA.
She is survived by her two children, Paul W. Cassidy of FL, and Gail
Cassidy (Stephen Alan) Davis of VA., three grandchildren Stephen A.
(Trey) Davis III, William P. Davis, and Ian P. Cassidy, and several
aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
She moved to Miami, FL June 1979 with her family from Wilbraham,
MA. She was devoted to her family as a homemaker, and later an Executive Assistant for her
husband in his law firm until she retired.
Reata enjoyed music, singing, laughing, dancing, shopping, traveling
and visiting with her family and friends. She was a proud grandmother
and loved her grand boys dearly. Holidays were always extra special
when she could have her whole family together. Everyone knew when
Reata was there it was going to be a party because she was always
the life of the party. Reata was friendly and kind and always took the
time to greet everyone by their first name wherever she went. She
never knew a stranger. When meeting someone for the first time she
would often tell them she was from “The Great State of Maine”. She
spread joy with her smile and good sense of humor. She was
entertaining and fun to be with.
Reata especially enjoyed dinner and dancing Friday nights with her
husband and friends at South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge # 1676.
Reata always looked forward to social functions and gatherings with
the Emerald Society of South Florida, especially the Annual St.
Patrick’s Day Festival.
She also enjoyed attending The Propeller Club of the United States
Port of Miami functions, where she made numerous friends and long
lasting relationships. She was particularly fond of the “Coasties” who
are in charge of keeping our shores safe.
She was diagnosed with a specific form of Parkinson’s Disease called
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) in 2013. After a long and
courageous battle she passed away peacefully at home with her
loving husband William by her side, June 16, 2019 in Miami, Florida.
She was 77. Reata was cremated in accordance with her wishes.
Reata donated her brain to the University of Miami Brain Endowment
Bank for confirmation of her PSP disease and to further research towards finding a cure.
She was an organ donor but this will give her peace in knowing that some good will come out of her suffering.
Reata will be deeply missed. The family would like to thank all the
neighbors, family and friends who kept her in their prayers, sent cards,
called to check on her and stopped by the house during her illness. It
lifted her spirits and their support was greatly appreciated.
Her family wants to give special thanks to the following:
Griswold Home Care - caregivers:
Dalenys Montano
Vivia Allen
Marcia Carrasco
Elizabeth Brevil
Yordanka De Varona
Beatriz Crespo
Various other CNA’s
Dr. Alexander Fiuza and numerous CNA’s - Compassionate Care Hospice
Dr. Carmen Ortiz Butcher - Primary Care Physician
Dr. Simon Starosta Rubinstein - Neurologist
Dr. Jacky B. Blank - Pulmonologist
Speech Therapist - Dorian Chen
Occupational Therapist - Kassia Jurado
Physical Therapist - Milton Deans
Numerous doctors, nurses and staff at South Miami Hospital.
South Florida Atypical Parkinson’s Support Group - Paul
Freeman (members and caregivers)
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Reata’s name can be made to:
CurePSP.org
Griswold Home Care
Compassionate Care Hospice
Or Charity of your choice
Memorial will take place at Stanfill Funeral Home 10545 S. Dixie Hwy
Saturday, June 29, 2019 11am with service at 12pm followed by a
Celebration of Life at the South Miami-Coral Gables Elks Lodge
#1676, 6304 SW 78th St, Miami, FL 33143. Parking located at the rear
of the building. A second Memorial and Celebration of Life followed by
Internment will take place at a later date in Wilbraham, MA