Yvonne Davidson Cassidy died peacefully at her home in Commercial Point, Ohio the evening of August 19. She was surrounded by her family, who read poetry, played music and shared family stories. All these things she loved. She was 87.

Yvonne was born August 26, 1929 in Decatur, Ill. to Jewett and Hannah Davidson. She graduated from the University of Indiana in Bloomington, Ind. in 1952 with a degree in art education. In 1953, she married Joseph L. Cassidy Jr. in Evansville, Ind.

A prolific artist, Yvonne concentrated mostly in oil and watercolor painting but also mastered textile arts. She won many awards over the years, including first place in Watercolor Artist Magazine’s juried exhibit 9/11.

She was the most positive person her family and friends knew. Every cell of her body was artistic. She ran deep in her thinking and was an astute listener, caring for your every word.

Yvonne called the plains of the Midwest and the shores of Martha’s Vineyard her homes. One of her favorite poems was Sea Fever by John Masefield. The first line, “I must go down to the sea again,” is how her family will honor her.

She is survived by her children: Caitlin Cassidy, Christopher Cassidy and his wife Nancy, Bridget Cassidy, and Nicholas Cassidy and his wife Cynthia; her grandchildren, Brian Fogle, Stephanie Evans and her husband Brendan, Kimisha Cassidy, Joseph Cassidy, Tess Cassidy and Sara Cassidy; and her great-grandson, Kaleb Evans.

She was preceded in death by husband, Joseph L. Cassidy Jr.

Her family will hold a private memorial on Martha’s Vineyard this September. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Southern Poverty Law Center, splcenter.org, or Free Speech TV, freespeech.org.

Messages of condolence can be left at NewcomerColumbus.com.