Safe Home: Selfless Angels

Vera Casey

VERONICA F. “VERA” CASEY July 25, 1930 – February 7, 2024

Vera Casey (nee Holian), 93, was born in Lackafinna, Cong, Co. Mayo, Ireland and was a longtime resident of Lakewood and then Fairview Park, Ohio. Beloved wife of Thomas J. Casey (deceased) for 62 years. Mother of Maureen Casey, Patricia Casey, Thomas F. Casey and Kathleen Proctor (Jim).

Grandmother of Shannon, Sara, Colin, Deirdre, Jack, Clare, Leah, Jack and Molly. Great Grandmother of Kaylee and Alana. Sister of Tom Holian (deceased), Bridget (Birdie) Davern (deceased), Jack Holian (deceased), Mark Holian of Galway Ireland, Mike Holian of North Olmsted, Ohio, Nancy (deceased). Aunt, Great Aunt, Godmother, cousin, and friend to many. Former owner of multiple beauty salons in Lakewood, Rocky River and Galway, Ireland. Founder of Casey’s Irish Imports, Inc. in Rocky River.

Vera was born in Cong, Co. Mayo to Frank and Florence Holian. The third oldest, she had to drop out of school at age 13 to help raise her siblings when her mom died suddenly.

In 1949, she went to London in search of work and was “never bored, always broke.” On St. Patrick’s Day in London in 1952, she married her childhood sweetheart Tom Casey, of Carrick, Co. Galway. In 1956 Vera and Tom set sail on the Queen Elizabeth and ended up in Cleveland, where her sister Birdie was living. For years Vera and Tom traveled back and forth to Ireland with their four children.

In 1975, they finally settled for good in Lakewood, Ohio. Vera, a former hairdresser who owned hair salons in both Galway and the States over the years, decided to expand her hair salon, Casey’s House of Beauty, to Casey’s House of Beauty and Irish Imports.

In 1988, she decided to “retire” from the beauty business and open Casey’s Irish Imports. She ran Casey’s until 2012, when her husband Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Two daughter’s, Maureen and Kathleen, still run it today; they just celebrated 35 years of business.

Vera was a longtime member of the West Side Irish American Club, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, and The Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland. She has always been active in parish life, whether in her mission circle at St. Mark, founding member of St. Clarence Church, long time member at St. Angela, or participating in her St. Christopher Rosary Group.

Vera was the recipients of many awards throughout her life. She was selected in 2012 by the Cleveland United Irish Societies of Greater Cleveland as the Irish Mother of the Year for the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2016, Vera and Casey’s Irish Imports were awarded the Celtic Warrior Award by the North American Celtic Trade Association for outstanding merchant and member. In 2018 the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce presented Vera and Casey’s The Quality Business Award. In 2019 she was honored with a Walk of Life Award by the Irish American Archives Society of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

She always said the key to her success was due to the love and support of her family and friends, and her faith in God. Vera said she never forgot the last piece of advice her dad gave her when she was boarding the train in Ballinrobe, Ireland back in 1949, “Vera always stay close to Jesus and Mary and all will be well in life.”

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Little Brothers and Sisters of the Eucharist c/o Fr. James O'Donnell, 3675 West 165th St. Cleveland, OH 44111 or to the Monastery of the Poor Clares, 3501 Rocky River Dr. Cleveland, OH 44111 are appreciated.

Slan Abhaile~ Safe Home Mom - Obituary courtesy of Chamber’s Funeral Homes