MADISON- Mary LeFever Cassinelli, age 78, of Madison, WI passed away on October 31, 2018 at Agrace Hospice. She was born on October 1, 1940 in Cincinnati, OH, the daughter of Flora Ethel (Smith) and Frank Joseph LeFever. She married Joseph P. Cassinelli on May 4, 1963 and together they enjoyed 55 years of love, companionship and laughter.

Mary was the only girl in a family of five brothers. As a young girl, Mary liked to roller skate and bicycle down the steep hills of Cincinnati. Mary graduated from McNicholas High School. She was a private secretary at Central Trust Bank. Later, in Madison, Mary worked as the librarian for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Mary was a support in Joe’s career, which allowed them to travel the world together with their family, seeing 15 countries and meeting people from many cultures. She especially loved the time spent in Utrecht, Holland and Glasgow, Scotland. Mary loved gardening and nature. She had an artistic flair and enjoyed crafts such as marionettes and stained glass. Mary was an active member at church, sharing her voice in the choirs of St. James Catholic Church.

Mary was the loving mother of Joseph M. (Jeanne), Carolyn (Albert) and Mary Kachi (Brian); cherished grandmother of Lance (Yvette), Rory, Joseph L., Kathryn and Brett; great-grandmother to Aiden. Mary especially treasured the friendships with Beverly Engledinger, Helen Upton, Rae Carol Rocca, and Joni Nowak. The tender care of Donna Gilbert and the staff at Agrace Hospice is greatly appreciated.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents; and her brothers, William, Carl, Frank, and Robert.

She is survived by her husband; brother, Harry; and children.

Mary’s kind heart and joyful personality will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Research Foundation, Agrace HospiceCare, Inc., or St. James Catholic School.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at ST JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1128 St. James Court, Madison, with Msgr. Thomas Baxter presiding. Burial will be held at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 ODANA ROAD, and also from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church on Wednesday.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

(608) 274-1000

Mary Cassinelli

October 01, 1940 - October 31, 2018

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