Mary Cassidy Furrow

On July 4th our Lord called home His daughter Mary Cassidy Furrow, who peacefully lay surrounded by family in the midst of prayer to God for mercy, to our Lady for intercession, and to St. Joseph for a peaceful death, as they too gave glory to God through song and praise.  Cassidy was born on October 31st, 1990 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, VA, but grew up in Winston-Salem. She, alongside three of the oldest children, was educated at home through high school and flourished in a wide variety of excellent learning opportunities. She was a soccer player, a violinist for the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony for seven years, and she volunteered at Forsyth Medical Center throughout high school.   Cassidy’s vocation in life was to be a mother and to become a nurse. She earned a N.C. Nurse Merit Scholarship, and entered nursing school immediately after high school, simultaneously working as a CNA at Forsyth Medical Center in the oncology unit. After graduating, she worked first for WFU-Lexington Medical Center in the Emergency Room Department before transferring to Novant’s Clemmons Medical Center ED, where she has worked for the last six years. She was very grateful for her career, truly loved to help others, and was cherished by an outstanding group of peers, professionals and friends at Clemmons ED.  Most importantly, Cassidy was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. The third of nine children, she helped joyfully to raise her younger siblings. This early responsibility in life created in her a tireless work ethic that carried into her adult life. Finally, she lived and loved her Catholic faith, and never forgot that she was a child of God.  Surviving Cassidy is her ardently loving and unconditionally devoted husband, Matthew Furrow, whom she married in 2017; her beautiful and precious daughter, Chloe Elizabeth Davis, 5; and her sweet and adorable nine-month-old son, Theodore Matthew Furrow (“Teddy”). Chloe’s and Cassidy’s love for each other was magical. Chloe is truly Cassidy’s “mini-me” and they couldn’t have been closer. Their hearts will remain one, and we will forever keep her memory alive for her children. Among all who knew her it is undisputed that Cassidy’s love for Matt and her children was selfless, pure, and deep—a love that would have had her gladly surrender for them the life that’s been taken from her.  Cassidy also leaves behind a heartbroken family: her parents, Charles and Mary Matheson; her eight brothers and sisters: Riley, Mack, Carlie, Paul, Blase, Veronica, Jack, Alexander; her grandmothers, Phyllis Matheson and Eleanor Zwiller; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  A very special thank you is owed to Skip Furrow, Matt’s dad, who was there every step of the way with love, support, and prayers; to Fr. AJ for his rapid response and waiting patiently with prayer and support to anoint Cassidy with the Sacrament of the Sick; to the McClorey family, Cassidy’s aunt, uncle, and cousins, for being there from the beginning with love, support, and prayers; to all family and friends for their generous help and for their prayers; and to all of those in the Critical Care Unit at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital — each and every person, from strangers in the hallway to the various medical teams and hospital staff, from the moment we arrived at the hospital until the time we left, was kind and thoughtful. Scott Copus, you are so much more than the ECMO coordinator; you are an angel. And to Cassidy’s special nurse, Meagan Rushing, who took such gentle and loving care of Cassidy. We will always remember how you cared for her. Meagan even bought a brush and hair accessories so that we could prepare Cassidy for the final goodbyes of her children. We will be forever grateful for you, Meagan, and to have had the last 36 hours with Cassidy in an environment filled with love and support. Finally, we are blessed to have Fr. Cook, and all those of St. Leo the Great, our parish, and Bill Noble of Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home. They too have been instrumental in navigating the unknown.

Cassidy,

We’ll always love you higher than the sky, wider than the ocean, and deeper than the deep blue sea.