Mary Ellen Cassman

Messages

We encourage Mary Ellen's friends and family to submit messages and memories. You can submit messages here.

I was a member of the Lions Club with MaryEllen and your Dad. I met Mary Ellen where our airport group would meet.for lunch. I am sorry to hear of her passing. Our club was a fun and she was good part of it as well as your Dad. Blessings to all the family.

For almost 20 years, I enjoyed playing paddle tennis with Allan and the "PT Boys" while also enjoying social afternoon or evenings with the spouses. It was a time full of singing, laughter joke telling, poetry reading and eating. It was here I saw the magic of Mary Ellen: her sweetness, her connection with Allan and her generosity for others as well as her love of her family and friends. Mary Ellen was special and I am glad the PT gang has her back again, especially Allan. I miss them all ❤️ Dave

Mary Ellen was a huge inspiration to me. Her love of and commitment to family and community were unsurpassed, and I've never met a more positive person. I loved her sense of humor, her open mind, her authentic interest in everyone she met, and her desire to help others. She was a legend (as was Alan), and will truly be missed.

We shared many a lunch together. I loved to pick her brain, as I had lived in Westchester longer than she, but she was a generation ahead of me. It was fun to hear her perspective on the 50's, 60's, 70s and so on. She was a female leader during a time when women had to really stand up to be heard. I salute all she symbolizes and all she accomplished.

Mary Ellen has been a wonderful friend and role model ever since I met her when as a social worker I started to volunteer at AMCS in 1974. Her thoughtfulness, support and willingness to connect with everyone she met will never be forgotten, as well as her quick wit and generosity. It has been a gift to be involved with her over all these years. Sue Henderson

Communities often have only a handful of giants who were transformational in its development, Mary Ellen and her late husband Alan were among the great leaders that paved the way for future generations to benefit from in Westchester. We celebrate the life and legacy of Mary Ellen as she continues to look down on us from Heaven. I will forever cherish the imprint she has left on my heart.

Mary Ellen was way before her time in many ways and it's incredibly special that in the 60's when discussing mental health issues was completely taboo and hush hush -- SHE spearheaded AMCS -- a non profit which we need now, more than ever!

Mary Ellen was a mentor to many including me. She represented the best of the best and was always there to lend a helping hand. She was a brilliant woman and a loving wife and mother. Her legacy and dream lives on for decades to come.

Alan was also a treasure. He was our longest term tenant, when my did bought the building in 1989, Alan had already established his legal business roots.

Alan gave free legal advice to many throughout the years. I would see him daily and upon saying "Good Morning Alan, how are you today?" his answer was ALWAYS "Never better!" I'm sure those who knew him remember this quote.

Alan and Mary Ellen were Westchester fixtures and leaders -- both generous in spirit, love, giving, spending time on boards and humble beyond belief.

MARY ELLEN and ALAN CASSMAN

Elementary school years shared
Wellesley/University of Pennsylvania
Career beginnings, IBM, military, Stanford Resident Asst
Set Mary Ellens sights on California

A cagy Alan out maneuvered his brother’
A date with Mary Ellen, marriage followed
Hasty trip to CA. with a “sleepover” in an orange grove
Arrived in time for Alan’s to take California’s bar exam

Legendary...acclaimed
Community ambassador
Mental health advocate
Alan, a US constitution legal eagle

Whatever the occasion
Mary Ellen a camera person’s dream
No need to say “cheese”
The smile naturally appeared

Alan and Mary Ellen’s vision
Family and community, an important team
Assuring a healthy environment
In which to raise their children, Ted, Joan, and Ken

Career, home, neighborhood responsibilities
A marriage of all three
Wherever there was a need
The Cassman’s volunteered their help

Mary Ellen’s voice spoke to the community
The need for mental health services needed
Protesters in front of their home
Undaunted she persevered

Mary Ellen and Alan were always a team
Westchester Mental Health Guild
Airport Marina Counseling Service
Westchester Family YMCA

Alan’s knowledge of the Constitution
SCOTUS decisions rendered
Encouraging questions and discussions

They were beacons of hope
Shared the helm
Never side stepping an issue
While also being a good listener

Selfless...they did not seek the limelight
“Tell me more about what you are doing?”
Focused interest--enthusiastically eager to know
Oh, the questions they could ask

Alan and Mary Ellen as parents
Taught by example
Privilege carried with it a responsibility
Giving back was a Cassman tenet

Whatever role in which they were engaged
Their authenticity never waiver
A welcoming smile...a handshake or hug
Genuine and appreciative were their trademarks

Their gifts to Westchester will extend for decades
A family legacy of pride and service
Inspiring the next generation
To continue their dedication

Mary Ellen was my role model, my mentor and my hero. Her courage, her dedication to her community and all the not-for-profits she was devoted to. She supported and mentored me in my establishment of Helen’s Room with such enthusiasm and gusto, serving on my Board of Directors, together with Alan for many years, raising much needed funds and always inspiring our mission.

You are missed by Seymour and me and we are forever grateful for your friendship, wisdom and indomitable spirit.

Monica and Seymour Kahn