Lianne Fleury-Casey, a longtime resident of Amherst, MA passed away in the early morning hours of June 5^th, 2021 with her family by her side. She was 61 years old.

She grew up in South Hadley and graduated from South Hadley High School with the Class of 1978. She then attended Assumption University where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Specializing in vocational rehabilitation and psychology, she entered the worker’s compensation, disability and managed care industry with a relatively new company called General Rehabilitation Services. It became her second family and she was one  of the company’s rising stars. As the company was bought and sold several times, she finally retired as Regional Vice President of Genex Services, Inc., a national leader in the field. She was very proud of reaching the top rung professionally as her work life and work relationships were so much a part of who she was. She thrived on the challenges.

She married her high school sweetheart and lifelong love, David Casey and together they had two sons of whom she was most proud.  She was a fiercely protective, loving, attentive, supportive, and nurturing mother. Family was everything to her, and she was involved in every aspect of her children’s lives. She never missed a school play, game, recital, race or event in which her boys participated. Lee put her all into everything she did. She was not one to simply have a party, plant a garden, decorate a house or any number of things she excelled at. Her parties were legendary and memorable. Her gardens were tour worthy and at times breathtaking. And her home at Christmas was something to behold. The neighborhood Halloween party was an event eagerly anticipated by everyone. She set the bar high, and it showed in everything she did.

As a child, her family vacationed on Cape Cod every single year. That ritual was sacred to her and she carried on the tradition with her own family. Five years ago, she and David purchased a small cottage on Swan Pond in Dennisport, and it became her special place. She loved running down for a long weekend with her mom, a week here and there, or inviting her close friends to escape there for a few days. Nothing was more enjoyable to her than a day at the beach. Every morning began with looking out the back window to see if it was a “beach day”. She also enjoyed traveling with her family, and in addition to the memories created at the Cape, trips to Ireland, England, France and Spain were both special and memorable. The name of her Cape house was “Perfect Moments”, and she was continually aware of how important each day was.

Lee was an exceptional person, friend, colleague and mentor. She radiated beauty inside and out, and just loved being present in everything for everyone. She had an innate ability to always say and do the right thing for the people around her. Most important to her was being a good friend to those she was close to, and that list was quite long. Known as an exceptionally giving person, she never missed a birthday, anniversary or other special event without just the right card, gift or phone call. Those who knew her best marveled at how she could juggle so much, constantly look so good, and always light up every room with her smile. Her drive and determination were matched by her empathy and compassion.

Her groups of friends were everywhere. She maintained close relationships from kindergarten, high school, college, her workplace, her neighborhood, and her church. Amongst her closest friends, were her tightknit group of college friends – the Greyhound girls. They were involved in every aspect of her life and are an extended family to her “three boys”.

She and her husband had recently sold their home in Amherst, and were living on Cape Cod while their new home is being constructed in South Hadley. She was looking forward to being back in western Mass again, closer to family and her many old and dear friends. The planning and decorating of this new home was exciting for her, and she relished picking out new furniture, fixtures, textures and colors.

A doting daughter to her parents, she was predeceased by her father, Richard Fleury.

She leaves behind her husband of 36 years, David and her two sons Christopher (31) of Somerville, MA and Alexander (27), of Arlington, VA who are her proudest accomplishments. She also leaves behind her mother Anne Fleury of South Hadley, her brother Richard and wife Teri of South Hadley, sister Pamela and husband Frank Mislak of Cohoes, NY and brother Stephen of South Hadley. The very long list of nieces and nephews, godchildren and in-laws knew they were all lucky to have Auntie Lee in their life.

Visiting hours will be Thursday, June 10^th from 4pm to 7pm at the Douglass Funeral Home at 87 North Pleasant Street in Amherst. A liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 10am on Friday, June 11^th at Saint Brigid’s Church, 122 North Pleasant Street in Amherst with burial immediately following at Evergreen Cemetery in South Hadley.

In lieu of flowers gifts may be made in memory of Lianne to either:

The Pan Mass Challenge to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at http://pmc.org/DC0366

or to Assumption University, University Advancement, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609.  Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com