Paula S. Casady

We lost an angel when Paula Casady left us May 19, 2016; having succumbed to a brief fight with cancer. She was born on October 9, 1954, to Rupert J. and Eula Hernandez in Denver, CO. Paula was always very proud of her parents and the work they did raising their family, championing the cause for the mentally ill and the Rupert J. Hernandez award that was given annually to recognize a citizen who did the most to benefit the mentally ill. Following her parents' deaths, she stepped naturally into a matriarchal role and was always there for her siblings and their families. Whenever Paula would come up against a bureaucratic roadblock, she was like a bulldog and would fight like mad to achieve resolution. In the end, the battles became so difficult and "the system" became so dysfunctional that she identified with the song, "The Impossible Dream."
She was preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law Irene Rowlett, of Clinton, Oklahoma, and a nephew, T. J. Hernandez. Paula did not use the term "step-child," so the term is not used here. Her "step" relatives were simply part of her family. She is survived by husband, John "Charlie" Casady, Albuquerque; brothers, Randy Hernandez of Las Vegas, NM, and Tom Hernandez and wife, Michelle, of Oklahoma; sister, Jeanne Sorrell and partner, Jon Guertin, of Albuquerque; son, Aaron Glicco of Albuquerque; daughters, Sarah Valerio and husband Danny, of Rio Rancho, Terri Casady of Indiana, Jacki Casady of Kirtland, NM; sister-in-law, Linda Jones, of Oklahoma; brothers-in-law, Bill Casady and wife Fawn, of California, Tim Casady of Oklahoma, and Kelly Casady, of California; grandchildren, Joseph Casady of the home, Raymond Lopez and wife, Sarah, of New York, Rita Dejnozka and husband, Nathan of New York, Josefina Bautista of Indiana, Jeru Sanders of Socorro, Ashley Sanders of Albuquerque, Anthony Sanders of Kirtland, and David and Eric Valerio of Rio Rancho; and many nieces and nephews. Friends and family may visit FRENCH - Wyoming on Monday, May 23, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2016, 10:00 a.m., also at FRENCH - Wyoming. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.