| Date of Birth | October 17, 1945 |
| Date Deceased | July 16, 2023 |
| Hometown | Canisteo |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | July 21, 2023 |
| Service Time | 10:00 AM |
| Service Location | St. Ann's Church |
| Interment Location | St. Mary's Cemetery |
Phyllis Diane Sanford Cassidy
CANISTEO – Phyllis Diane Sanford Cassidy, 77, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully Sunday morning (July 16, 2023) at her home on South Elm Street.
Born in Hornell on Oct. 17, 1945, she was a daughter of the late Ivan and Oneta (Coots) Sanford.
A lifelong resident of Canisteo, Phyllis was a graduate of Canisteo Central School, and then went on to receive her associate’s degree from Alfred State College.
On May 21, 1966, she was married at St. Joachim’s Church in Canisteo to Thomas A. Cassidy, who survives.
She was employed at the Bath V.A. Medical Center until she became a loving mother and an exceptional homemaker in 1970. After dedicating several years to her family, she became employed in 1983 as a secretary in the Horticultural Department of Alfred State College. In 1988 Phyllis began her career at the former Canisteo Savings & Loan Association and retired from there after many years of dedicated employment.
Phyllis was originally a communicant of the former St. Joachim’s Church in Canisteo and was currently a devout and faithful communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell. She attended the Sunday afternoon rosary and was a member of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel.
In addition to her dedicated faith, she was also a member of the Canisteo Historical Society, a lifetime member of KAHOKO, and was actively involved with her high school class reunions.
Phyllis was a voracious reader, consuming a book or two every week and volunteered at the Wimodaughsian Free Library in Canisteo.
She was considered an avid collector of lighthouses and loved to travel. Some of her favorite places were the Outer Banks, the coastline of Maine, and Arizona.
When she wasn’t traveling, she liked sporting events and attending a variety of performing arts.
She is lovingly survived by her husband of 57 years, Tom; two children, Kyle (Michelle) Cassidy of Hope Mills, NC, and Carrie (Robert) Struble of Pineville, NC; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Priscilla Abbey of Wayland, NY; as well as several nieces and nephews.
To honor her request there will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to join her family at St. Ann’s Church, 31 Erie Ave., Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday (July 21, 2023). Committal prayers and interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute in her memory may do so by making donations in her name to the Wimodaughsian Free Library, 19 W. Main St., Canisteo, NY 14823. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the church.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to assist Phyllis’ family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Phyllis are welcome on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
Tom and family, I am so so sorry to hear of Phyllis’ passing, she was a lovely sweet lady, always enjoyed talking to her. RIP Phyllis.
You were the best. I considered you such a dear friend and like mother to me. You’re advice always came without filters. I will tell you it was some of the best advice I ever received. I will miss seeing you in my reps with the kids to NY. Visits with you and Tom were always the best. I will treasure the memories of time spent with you. Thank you for continuing to be an important part of my life. May God keep you in His living embrace until we meet again.
So very sorry to hear of Phyllis’s passing. We were Canisteo Central School, class of 1963, classmates and friends. So many great memories. May she rest in peace.
Tom and family. So sorry for your loss. She was a great lady and I remember her well when we lived in Canisteo She will be missed
Tom & Family
So sorry to hear about your loss. Surely a wonderful and loving person. Peace and Faith be with you.
Great neighbor while I was going up on South Elm Street. Very kind lady, very sorry for your loss Tom
This was so unexpected our best to all we’re good friends may God bless