In Memoriam: Carol Tompkins Cassidy

Posted on February 2, 2020 By Editor In Memoriam

June 16, 1931 – Nov. 26, 2019

Carol Tomkins Cassidy, a longtime member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and a past member of its Altar Guild, passed away peacefully in her home Nov. 26, 2019. Friends described her as “always a lady,” and a kind person who took care of her own dear friend Mary Pharr Love before Love passed away. She was also very invested and active in her community.

“She was always a shining star,” Geneva and Johnnie McClain wrote in a funeral home online guestbook.

Cassidy was a Jacksonville native, born June 16, 1931 to Claude Alvera Tompkins and Lillian Powell Tompkins, both of whom passed away before her. She attended West Riverside Elementary School and John Gorrie Junior High before graduating from Robert E. Lee High School. She then went on to Duke University and later married husband Richard Carney Cassidy. They were married for more than half a century and had three children, who survive her: Claudia Naughton, Richard Cassidy Jr. and John Cassidy Sr. She also had nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

She was very active in the Jacksonville community and held a collection of titles that included president of the Junior League of Jacksonville, past president of the Speech and Hearing Clinic, past chairwoman of the Mothers March of Dimes for Duval County, member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. She helped found and helm the Laurel Garden Circle and was a life member of the Garden Club of Jacksonville, the Memorial Park Association and the Council of the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Cassidy was also a member of the Florida Yacht Club, Timuquana Country Club and the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. She stayed engaged by attending book club and bridge groups.

Cassidy was married to her husband, Richard, until his death in 2004. She was predeceased by her parents, sister-in-law Nancy C. Boone and brothers-in-law Arch W. Cassidy and Joseph H. Williams. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.