Barbara Steele Cassidy

A good teacher is like a candle . . . it consumes itself to light the way for others.




Barbara Steele Cassidy is now a luminous light that reminds us that a beautiful soul has passed. She died peacefully on Friday, November 13, 2015 in Winchester Hospital after a three year battle against cancer. She was 58.

Born July 18, 1957 in Malden she was a daughter of the late Charles J. and Barbara A. (MacLeod) Steele. Raised and educated in Medford she graduated from Medford High School with the class of 1975. She earned her bachelor of science in education from Fitchburg State College. Barbara earned masters degrees from Salem State College and from Framingham State University in administration and early childhood education and special education respectively.

Blessed are the teachers, for they open minds, touch hearts and shape the future.

Born with the gene to teach she had a passion for her work and making a difference in the lives of countless students who passed through the doors of the Medford school system. For over 33 years she worked in the Medford Public Schools where she began teaching and later worked in administration when she became the Special Education Coordinator of its school system. Ralph Waldo Emerson's famous poem summarizes Barbara's life to its end: "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

She married Somerset native Arthur F. Cassidy on October 14, 1995 in Saint Raphael's Church in Medford and they moved shortly thereafter to Waltham but her work in Medford enabled her to always call Medford home. Outside of her work Barbara's life was her family. Her pride and joy were her children, Charles and Elizabeth, and she was active in their lives . . . serving on the school board at Saint Jude School and being present to support and nurture them in every activity or project in which they were involved.

Like most educators, she always had a book in hand or the knitting needles nearby to complete another project. She was a great wife, mother, sister, friend and colleague. She will be so very missed.

In heaven Barbara joins her parents and her brothers, Alexander F. and Charles J. Steele, Jr.

In addition to her husband of twenty years, Arthur F. Cassidy, Jr. she leaves her children, Charles A. Cassidy and Elizabeth F. Cassidy, all of Waltham; her siblings, William R. Steele and his wife, Mary, of Medford, Theresa Steele Leo and her husband, Louis, of Burlington, Frances Griffith and her husband, Mark, of Medford; her sisters-in-law, Mary C. Cassidy and her husband, Mike Nowak, of Hyde Park, Kathryn A. Cassidy of Lancaster, Ohio, Karen Steele of Stoneham and Ali Steele of Oklahoma and many nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Barbara's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, November 17th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am. Burial will follow in Grove Hill Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorials in her name may be made to The Comfort Fund, Winchester Hospital Foundation, 611 Main Street, Winchester, MA 01890.