Mary Cortese Casey

Mary Cortese Casey, 91, passed away peacefully December 27, 2014, at her home in Germantown, TN. A longtime member of St. Anne Catholic Church-Highland, and in later years St. Louis Catholic Church, Mary was a devout Catholic, proud Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother and retired teacher from Idlewild School in Memphis. She loved reading and music, especially Harp music. Her greatest achievement and joy in life was raising her four children and seeing her family grow. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, graduated from Catholic High School in 1941, and obtained a B.S. degree from Memphis State University (now The University of Memphis) in 1958. She taught at Idlewild School in Memphis from 1958 – 1984. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 44 years, Russell Fitch Casey, Parents, Angelo and Lorienne Cortese of Memphis, brothers, Dr. Angelo Richard Cortese of Crystal Springs, Ms.; James Anthony Cortese of Memphis, and sister, Angela Cortese Aste of Memphis and Mobile, AL.

She is survived by her children, Russell Fitch”Mike” Casey, Jr. of Memphis, Sandra(Pete) Casey Gillis of Columbia, TN., Richard(Lucy)Cortese Casey of Eads,TN., Susan Lorienne Casey of Germantown. Fourteen Grandchildren and 25 Great Grandchildren: Carrie Sue Casey Hanback (Lucus), Belle and Hank of Alexandria, Va.; Russell F. Casey, III(Natasha), and Adelaide of Memphis; William Casey of Austin, TX.; Heather Gillis Daniels(Robert), Ryan and Christopher of Fort Mill, S. Carolina; Malcolm E. "Scotty” Gillis,III(Danielle), Mackenzie, Connor, Corri and Cooper of Arlington, TN.; Susan Angela Gillis of Nashville; Russell Casey Gillis(Celeste), Brenden, Isabella, and Georgia of Spring Hill, Tn.; Bridget Gillis Lee(Joseph), Morgan and Caleb of Spring Hill, TN.; Elizabeth Gillis Harter(Billy), Emma, Madelyn, and Katherine of Columbia, TN.; Richard”Cort”Casey(Laura),Batie, Cort and Connell of Germantown; Mary Casey Martini(Nick),Ella, Brooks, Lucy Rose, and Millie of Nashville; Jim Casey of Nashville, Claire Casey Thompson(Danny), Grove, James, and Emily of Memphis; Whit Casey(Crystal) of Murfreesboro, TN; one sister, Lorienne Cortese Sharp; four nieces and five nephews.

She was a very special woman; much loved, and will be truly missed.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at St. Anne Catholic Church-Highland from 9-10 a.m. A funeral mass will follow at 10a.m. with burial at Calvary Cemetery following the mass. Family will receive friends for a reception at Joachim Hall at St. Anne Catholic Church-Highland following the committal service. Memorials may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church-Highland or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.