Mary Beth CASSIDY

BENEDICT, Mary Beth (Cassidy) - My name is Mary Beth (Cassidy) Benedict and I left this life early in the morning of January 30 as a result of Pancreatic Cancer. Please know that I passed away counting my blessings surrounded by my family's love. I began life in Sudbury in 1959 and after graduating from Marymount College, studied marine biology and forestry at Guelph where I completed a Bachelor's in Science in 1981. My love of nature and science became the basis of my career, initially as an environmental biologist with Trans Canada Pipelines and, thereafter for many good years with Nova Scotia Power Corporation where I eventually became Senior Environmental Specialist and worked on the protection of habitat and important wildlife species. I loved to work with children on environmental education as well as being a coach and participant in hockey and soccer. I grieve to leave my husband Brad Benedict and my three magnificent sons, Craig, Todd and Cameron. They were my angels, my reasons to live and they know I will be with them always. Left behind, as well, is my dear and faithful mother, Anne (Tait) Cassidy, who cared for me in my last months, as well as my five sisters and brothers all of whom came from their far away homes to spend precious time in those painful but unforgettable final months: Patty Anne (Dickieson, Sudbury), Chris Cassidy (Sudbury), Mike Cassidy (Thunder Bay) , Sue-Ellen Cassidy (Prince George, BC) and Jennifer Cassidy (Sudbury). It is sad also to leave behind their familes: my in-laws Wade Benedict and his wife Ginny (Sudbury), Steven Benedict and his wife Barb (Beaverbank); Norman Dale (Prince George);, Doug Dickieson (Sudbury); Trudy and John Mac Neil (Sackville, NS) and many cherished nieces and nephews . And I will miss my Uncle Donny Tait and his wife, Betty of Calgary, my cousins especially Donna Cassidy and all the many Cassidys and Taits in Ontario and elsewhere. I will also deeply miss my friends and my many colleagues at NSPC. But I will now be once again with my beloved father, Charles Cassidy who went on ahead of me in November 2006. My thanks and those of my surviving family go out Dr. Elena Swift, Dr.Virik, The Palliative Care Team, David McGinley, Rev Donna Lovelace, Dr Harris, and the nurses who cared for me at the VG Hospital (7th,8th and11th floor. I am sorry to leave my life so young but it was a complete life one that I departed counting the innumerable blessings of wonderful children, a loving family, dear friends neighbours and working colleagues. May you all be so blessed! If you wish to remember me by donating to good work, I would respectfully suggest the Canadian Cancer Society pancreatic cancer research in my memory (www.cancer.ca or 1-800- 639-0222). Visitation will be at Knox United Church (567 Sackville Dr. Lower Sackville) Friday, February 1st, 2-4 and 7-9 PM . The Funeral Service will also be at Knox United Church on Saturday, Feb 2, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. 10977266