Obituaries

Esther 'Pat' Ruth Cassity Reid

Photo of Esther 'Pat' Ruth Cassity Reid
Esther "Pat" Ruth Cassity Reid passed away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, at Circle of Life Hospice, Bentonville, Ark. Pat was born April 4, but as a lady, never revealed her true age. Because of this, her family always found her to be young at heart. Her parents, Bessie and Floyd Cassity, who predeceased her, raised Pat on the family farm. She was preceded in death by her older sister, Margaret; and younger brother, Dean Cassity. She graduated from Clifton High School, Clifton, Kan., and continued her studies in home economics at Kansas State University. In the spring of 1941, Pat met the love of her life, James "Jim" Reid, while a nursing student at the University of Kansas, School of Medicine. They married August 1941 and lived in Kansas City, Leavenworth, Des Moines and Salina while Jim served as an Army physician. Pat moved to Kansas City when Jim was deployed to England during World War II. He returned November 1945, and they settled in Marshall, Mo., where they raised their sons, James Armand "Jimmy" and Michael Cassity "Mike," and daughter, Susan Elizabeth. Pat was active in the Marshall community. She served as a Scout leader, was active in the First United Methodist Church, was a member of the Marshall Board of Education, taught Red Cross classes, served as president of the Missouri Medical Auxiliary, helped establish a sheltered workshop and served on the board of Blosser Home for Women. In 1979, Pat and Jim retired to Bella Vista, Ark. Pat continued her passion for community service in Bella Vista, including serving in many capacities at her church, First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista, served on the Ambulance Board, was a member of the Art Club, started the "Glue In" during the Arts and Crafts Festival, was a lifelong member of PEO and was active in her homes association serving as president. Pat was asked to help organize Planned Parenthood of Rogers. She served on the board of Single Parent Scholarship and was honored by having the "Servant Heart Scholarship" established in her name. Music was always an important part of Pat's life, and she served for many years on the Northwest Arkansas Symphony Board and was a past president of the Northwest Arkansas Symphony Guild. Pat considered herself a gypsy — she loved to travel and pleased she made it to every continent, even Antarctica. She shared her love of travel with her granddaughters and took each of them on a special trip to London, England, her favorite city. Her children and their spouses, Jim and Terry Reid of Columbia, Mo., Mike and Sally Reid of Jefferson City, Mo., and Susan Reid and her partner, Karen Slater, of Atlanta, Ga., lovingly remember Pat. She had a special relationship with her granddaughters and their husbands, Sarah and Sean Murray, Anne and Alex Curchin, and Emily and Logan Stanley. Her "greats" loved their "GG," Evan Michael and Emma Claire Murray, Louisa Cassity and Alexander Brower Curchin, and Reid Elizabeth and Marianne O'Flaherty Stanley. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Phil and Genie Reid; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista. The family will greet guests following the service at Becker Hall. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista, the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County or the Marshall Philharmonic. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd, Bella Vista, Ark. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Published December 3, 2013

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