Jean Agnes Cassidy, 85, Trumbull, beloved wife of Joe Allen Cassidy, Sr, died peacefully in her home July 30. She was born June 6, 1930, in Middletown, N.Y., and was the daughter of the late Margaret and Walter Dages, Sr.

In addition to her beloved husband of 57 years, four children, Joe Allen Cassidy, Jr, of Newtown, Bronwynn Marie Lydem of Naugatuck, Michael Stephan Cassidy of Hamden, and Shannynn Colleen Cella of Shelton; eight grandchildren, Marlena Anzalone, Amanda Thomas, Samantha Cassidy, Alfred Anzalone, Joshua Salthouse, Felicia Anzalone, Emily Cassidy, Jessica Lydem; and five great-grandchildren survive Mrs Cassidy. One of five children, two brothers, Walter Dages, Jr, and his wife Louise, of Ridgefield, and Robert Dages, and his wife Laurie, of Monroe; and two sisters, Doris Cakavell, and her husband George, of Fairfield and Janice Westberg, and her husband David, of Bridgeport, also survive her.

The Cassidys met many, many years ago on a blind date. Mr Cassidy was serving in the Marines and was picking up helicopters from Sikorsky in Stratford when they went on their first date. They were married April 26, 1958, in Bakersfield, Calif., while Mr Cassidy was stationed at the Santa Ana Marine Base.

Mrs Cassidy worked at the Orange County Courthouse as a tax auditor while her husband finished his time with the Marines. While in California, they adopted two children. Eventually they moved back to Connecticut and found a house in Trumbull. The Cassidys adopted two more children and remained in their residence in Trumbull.

She enjoyed her tea, and later in life, hot milk, while watching the birds in the backyard. She was also very fond of growing African violets. She was an amazing baker and was well known for her homemade pies, cakes, and cookies.

The Cassidys also shared a love for being ham radio operators. When the L’Ambiance Plaza Building in Bridgeport fell, Mrs Cassidy used the ham radio base in her home as the Emergency Radio Control center for the search, rescue, and cleanup of the disaster. The two also taught new wanna-be ham radio operators.

Mrs Cassidy worked for the CHRS radio program for the sight impaired out of Trumbull High School, and even got her grandchildren and children to come in on Saturday mornings to read on air for the listeners. When she retired, she had been recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 1992 for her hard work, devotion, and volunteer time.

For many years the couple also shared a passion for photography, turning a portion of the house basement into a photo-developing studio.

The grandchildren's fondest memories of their grandmother are going to her house for buttercrunch ice cream, which was usually topped off with dab of whipped cream on their hands for them to lick off, orange juice mixed with 7-Up, and the stories told of when Granny was a child she used to ride a dinosaur to school.

Funeral services to be announced.