Joy Cassady

My Auntie Joy, my mom’s oldest sister, was more than just an aunt to me. After I was born, my mom and I moved into my Auntie Joy and Uncle Ed’s home and we lived with them until I was about three. I was the first child in their home until their son Chad was born two and a half years later. Since my Auntie Joy was a teacher, I got to spend summers with Chad and Erin who was born six years after me. My Auntie Joy was clear that I was the oldest of our trio and therefore was supposed to be the leader and not get us in trouble and I was to protect Chad and Erin. Like her children, she instilled in me to love others, to be kind and respect my elders. Family was most important. Tradition was key. She made Chad, Erin and I promise to carry on our family traditions, especially for Chad’s kids, Chad Jr (19), Jack (16) and Ava (12). She said I was her first child. My Uncle Ed said the same to me. My loss is of a child losing a surrogate mother. I know that my Uncle Ed was there to greet her to guide her through the next life where she is strong and healthy again and no longer in pain. Chad and Erin and I will carry on her ethics, morals, her strength and traditions. I’ve been feeling very numb but I’m so glad she’s no longer in pain and with her loved ones that have gone before her. I love you more than anything Auntie Joy! Until we meet again.

My heart goes out to Chad Sr., Erin, Chad Jr., Jack, and Ava, my sister’s children and grandchildren. They were fortunate to all live close to one another. Joy got to be a part of her grandchildren’s lives. I remember the day I met Ed and am a grateful sister-in-law for having him in my life. Many a holiday including Christmas Eve was spent with the Cassady family. I have a fond memory of a bike ride we took together when Chad and Erin were little. Joy attended all of the reunion picnics I organized in Holbrook Heights to get our mother’s six children and/or their families together on or near Mother’s birthday of June 13. Joy’s son took the whole family to Hawaii early in 2020 and my son Paul and I visited Joy before they left, on New Year’s Eve 2019. Joy would visit our mother in Vallejo and bring Rose and me clothes to try on. As teenagers living with Don and Bev after Mother died we were invited to Tahoe In the summer where Joy worked to put herself through college. It’s the end of an era with her passing. God bless the Cassady family.

I have so many wonderful memories of our family gatherings with my Auntie Joy. Holidays in particular growing up with her and my Uncle Ed were really great. We would play lots of games and watching her and Uncle Ed being competitive and poking fun at one another brought a lot of laughter. She had such a great laugh and really enjoyed sharing her life with others. She was always so willing to open up her home to any of her friends and family. She really loved her family. Growing up I remember she had a convertible MG and when I was about 11 or 12 she would take me and my cousin Gayle for a drive in it and we would stop at Howies for burgers. I will miss you Auntie Joy. You really did live life to the fullest.