Hope Cassidy was born in Yonkers, NY to John and Helen Machina. She graduated from W.C. Mepham High School in Bellmore, Long Island. She attended Wagner College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 1959. After graduating, Hope taught music in several schools in and around New York City. She married Robert Cassidy in 1962 and they moved to Lubbock, Texas where she received a Master’s Degree in Music Education in 1964 then taught as an Associate Professor in the Music Department at Texas Tech University.
Hope and Bob moved to Greeley, Colorado in 1976. Hope taught piano lessons, conducted the youth choir at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, and started the Children’s Theater in UNC’s Foundation Hall. She was called into patient advocacy after her mother, Helen, passed away. Hope established services for many of the underserved members of the Greeley community, including individuals with physical disabilities, head injuries and seniors. Her achievements included founding Patient Advocacy Group (1977), Hospice of Northern Colorado (1978), Eldergarden (1981), the Greeley Center for Independence (1985), Camelot Apartments I & II (1984 & 1986), the Hope Apartments and Hope Therapy Center and Pool (1997), and the Stephen's Farm Residence Center and Day Center for Brain Injury (2003). Among her proudest honors was being present for the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with President George H.W. Bush (1990). Hope was included in the first class of honorees as an Outstanding Woman of Weld County sponsored by Friends of a Woman’s Place (1990), and honored by the University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees with the building and naming of the Hope H. Cassidy Health and Counseling Center (1998). She was the recipient of the prestigious El Pomar Award in Self Sufficiency (2005).
With the help of the Greeley community, her good friends, Centennial/ International Rotary, and SSKIDS “Simple Supper for Kids in Desperate Situations” Hope conceived and completed projects in solar water purification plants, medical clinic sponsorship/construction, women’s schools funding, library construction, and provision of micro-banking grants to communities throughout Africa, Guatemala, and Mexico. Hope served on many Boards including the Greeley Chorale and SSKIDS. She co-authored with Linda Flaherty the book “Caring Relationships: Guide for Families of Nursing Home Residents” in 1982.
Hope credited all achievements to her faith in Christ. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for over 40 years. She loved and cherished time with her family and especially her grandchildren. She was a lifelong patron and advocate of all things music and theater. She was a passionate learner and traveler with both family and friends.
Hope is survived by daughter, Cara Machina of Greeley; son, Robert (Kara) Cassidy of Excelsior, Minnesota; brother, Mark Machina of Sahuarita, Arizona; grandchildren, Julia Machina, Sara “Olli” Machina, Liam Cassidy, and Laird Cassidy.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to “Friends of Hope Pool” c/o GCI, 2780 28th Ave. Greeley, CO, 80634.
A memorial service to be determined (we will wait for our Corona Virus threat to end).
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