Margena Anne Hopkins Cassidy passed away peacefully on February 25, 2014 in her Livermore, California home. She was held in her husband Ed’s arms. Her two children, son Edwin “Chuck” Cassidy III and daughter Elizabeth Anne Perez were on each side of her. She is survived by Ed, Chuck, Elizabeth and her granddaughter, Kaitlyn.
Margena was born in Florala, Alabama on August 30, 1939 the only child of Hubert and Annie Lois Hopkins. She attended school in Hamilton, Alabama and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1957. Margena was Miss Hamilton High her Senior year. She played drums in the band, was Advertisement Editor of the Annual, a member of the Paper Staff, Junior Play, Glee Club, and was selected as Best Dressed, and Favorite. Margena was a member of the Hamilton United Methodist Church and married her husband, Edwin Cassidy on August 24, 1969 in the Church. They were married 44 years.
Margena attended the University of Alabama and graduated from the University of North Alabama (Florence State College) in 1961. She majored in elementary education and taught first grade in Russellville for six years and in Huntsville for three years. She met her future husband, Edwin “Ed” Cassidy on a blind date. Ed was an Army Captain stationed at Redstone Arsenal. When he met Margena at the front door he told himself that he would marry Margena and after he returned from a yearlong tour in Korea, that is what he did. On November 20, 1970 their son Chuck was born. Ed was reassigned to Viet Nam after Chuck’s birth and Margena and Chuck moved home to her parents in Hamilton, Alabama. Upon his return Ed was assigned to San Diego, California where their daughter, Elizabeth Anne was born on October 30, 1972.
Over the years Ed moved the family to Petersburg, Virginia; San Diego, California; Bangkok, Thailand; Fort Hood, Texas; Washington D. C.; Scranton, Pennsylvania, Birmingham (Hoover), Alabama; back to San Diego, California and finally in 1991 to Livermore, California. It was hard to pack up and leave good friends so many times.
No matter where she lived Margena’s priority was always her children. She hosted fancy birthday parties, spend the night parties and trips to amusement parks, historical sites and visits to her parents and Ed’s parents. As the children grew up she and Ed traveled to Europe and India.
Margena was an avid reader who loved biographies and mysteries. She grew beautiful roses and iris in her backyard. She was a substitute teacher in Bangkok, Scranton, and Hoover. She also taught Sunday school. She enjoyed cooking and was a gourmet cook. She was active in the community and enjoyed meeting people. As her High School yearbook said, “She may not be a ford, but she sure can rattle on.”
Margena will be buried in Hamilton, Alabama. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Asbury United Methodist Church at a later date.*
