Early in
the morning of October 27th Olga (Pryznyk) Cassidy passed on to be
with her Heavenly Father. Olga passed at
home peacefully surrounded by family.
Olga was
born on August 23, 1924 the eleventh of twelve children to John and Sophia
Pryznyk, immigrants from Poland, in Bienfait in Saskatchewan, Canada. During World War II, Olga served in the
Women's Royal Enlisted Navy (WRENs). During her service she met George Cassidy,
who was also serving in the Royal Canadian Navy. He would go on to say that he fell in love
with the sweet lady in the pink angora sweater he met on a train. They were
married May 5th 1945. In 1946
Olga gave birth to their first child, Kathleen Mary, in Calgary, Alberta,
Canada. Following Kathleen, they were
blessed with their first son George ‘David’ in 1947. Olga cherished her role of being a mother and
wife. The Cassidy’s continued to call
Canada their home until they immigrated to San Bernardino, California in the
early 1950’s
Even though
George, Olga, Kathleen and David all became naturalized American citizens, they
continued to consider Canada their homeland.
Most of their extended family still live there and they visited
frequently.
Upon moving
to California, they bought a home on 25th street in San
Bernardino. The family would continue to
live in the house until this day, watching the area grow up around them. George went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad
as a Switchman, while Olga continued her favorite role as a mother. She also was quite active in the community,
joining such organizations such as the Davidson Elementary School PTA, Campfire
Girl Leader The Ladies Auxiliary of the UTU (United Transportation Union) and
Catholic Daughters. She was also very
active in the local little league, being instrumental in the building of the
Barta Field Baseball Complex.
In 1954
they were blessed with another daughter Eileen Anne and then a son, Gerald
(Gerry) Francis in 1962.
As her kids
grew up and left the nest, Olga did not let that slow her down. She continued
being active in all of her organizations adding things like being a Charter
member of the San Bernardino National Kidney Foundation and working as a campaign
volunteer for Rep. George Brown. She also held many jobs, such as at the
original Harris’ department store.
In 1980,
Olga enrolled in a golf class at Crafton Hills College and a new passion was
found. She and George spent their
retirement years playing golf every chance they got. She served as officer and
president of the Colton Women’s Golf Club Association and could be found on the
golf course on a daily basis. She proudly wore her gold “Hole in One” charms
around her neck everyday.
Olga also
found a new role in life that she absolutely cherished, Grandmother. Her first grandchild, George ‘Alan’ was born
in 1973 to David and his wife Mary Mills.
They went on to give George and Olga two more grandchildren, Alison
Marie and Richard Adam. Her daughter
Eileen and her husband Tim Sanborn had their first child Ruth Katheryn in 1980
and then soon after followed Erin Eileen.
Olga immediately fell into the role of the ideal Grandmother and loved
every minute of it.
In the
1990’s Olga was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She did not let it slow her down. She continued to do the things she loved such
as golfing, visiting family in Canada and being a Mother and Grandmother. Olga was also a lifetime member of Holy
Rosary Catholic Church in San Bernardino, CA.
Olga lost
her daughter, Joanne in 1955, her husband George in 1989, followed by her
son-in-law Tim Sanborn in 2006 and finally, her eldest son George ‘David in
2007.
Olga is
survived by her eldest daughter Kathleen, daughter Eileen, son Gerry and wife
Guinevere and her daughter in law Mary Cassidy and her husband Jorge
Landa. She is also survived by her
Grandchildren: Alan and his wife Andrea Cassidy, Alison Cassidy, Adam Cassidy,
Erin Sanborn, Katie Sanborn and her husband William McIntosh. Her
Great-Grandchildren are Lia, Sophie and Tommy McIntosh and Olivia Cassidy.
Her legacy
of love, loyalty, service and compassion will live on through everyone who knew
her.
Services
will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in San Bernardino, Ca. on
November 11th at 10:00am
In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the
Alzheimer’s Association or:
UCSD
Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer Disease Research Center
9500
Gilman Drive (0948)
La
Jolla, CA 92093-0948
Or
Charter
Hospice
1012
East Cooley Drive, Suite G
Colton,
CA 92324
Or
charity of your choice.
