Obituary of Rosemary M Cashin

Cohoes – Rosemary M. Blais Cashin, 96, of Cohoes, passed away at her home with her children by her side on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

Well, I guess the Cashin kids have finally grown up. Widowed in 1967 with 10 children to raise, Mom had words with God to the effect of “If you took their dad, you better keep me around long enough to raise the kids.” Mom finally has gone to join her beloved Bill after 54 years of missing him.

Born March 5^th, 1925, to Rose (Quinn) and Dr. George Blais of Cohoes, NY, Rosemary Margaret Blais was the Rose among thorns, the only daughter with 5 brothers. She attended St. Agnes School, Catholic Central High and graduated from Cornell University having gotten her degree in Home Economics. Upon graduation, she moved to Boston (lifelong Red Sox fan) where she worked as a dietician at the Boston Lying Inn, now Brigham and Womens’ Hospital. Serving as an attendant in her roommate’s wedding, Mom met a tall, dark haired handsome man by the name of William Cashin, and they won each other’s hearts.

They married June 25^th, 1949, and moved to Horseheads, NY while Dad completed his PhD in nuclear chemistry. From there, they moved to Burlington, VT for his job teaching at UVM. With the anticipated arrival of their 3^rd child, they moved to Cohoes to build their home and continue to grow their family, close to our grandparents and extended family. While Dad built his career at Knolls Atomic Power Lab, Mom cared for the home and kids. September 18, 1967 was the worst day of her life with the sudden death of Dad. Left to finish raising their 10 children, this kind, loving, faith filled woman showed her strength of character and spine of steel. Mom is the hero of all her children, and of many others.

Despite the uncertainty and fears that must have existed, she maintained a home of unconditional love for her children and welcome for those who came through the door. Over the years she was known by many names, Mrs. Cashin, Aunt Rosemary, Hockey Mom, Doll, Disco Rosie, Mrs., Cookie Mom and more. But her favorite names were wife of Bill, Mom and Grandma. As such, she is survived by many, all because 2 people fell in love. Her children: Michael (Chris), Peg (Don), John (Susan), Tom (Gail), Tish (Chuck), Mary (Tom), Mark, Kathy (Peter), Chris (Kevin), Maureen (Dan). As Mom would say to the neighbor commenting on the play worn lawn “I’m raising kids, not grass!”

Her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Conor (Cait), Greg (Devon) with Smith and Ryan, Liz (Dan), Mike, Maria, Erin (Mike) with Chloe and Dominic, Bill, Dan, Cameron (Natalie) with a baby on the way, Bridget, Thomas, Kylene (Cait), Shayne, Beverly, Theo, Patrick, Rosemary (Gary) with Rylee and Piper, Seno (Anastasia), Matt, Maggie, Anna, Peyton. Timothy predeceased her. Every one of us are infinitely blessed to have grown up with Mom’s guidance. Countless others have been touched by how Mom lived out her faith, always seeking to see the spark of God in all, treating all she encountered with kindness and respect, and always leading with love. For decades Mom, an avid seamstress, would make outfits for all the children on the parish Christmas needs list. The world is a poorer place with her passing but the heavens rejoice for a good and faithful servant has gone home.

Our family is grateful to the locals that made it possible for Mom to live out her life in the family home. Not only did it fulfill Mom’s wishes, but it allowed those of us living at a distance to know that Mom was being lovingly cared for. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Cohoes on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 10:30am. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Waterford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mom’s honor can be made to the NICU at Albany Medical Children’s Hospital or a children’s charity of your choice. Masks are requested to be worn by all attendees. The family will have a Memorial gathering in the spring.