Gloria B. Cassis

Gloria Bonica Fletcher was born on the 14th of July 1933 to Winnifred Harris – Fletcher & Walter Fletcher in Clarendon, Jamaica. Spending her childhood there with the rest of her many brothers & sisters, they were a very close-knit & loving family that shared everything. She emigrated to London, England during the “Windrush Generation” reuniting with her siblings that had already moved there, Winston, Woody, Haldar, Rollin & Joyce. She married Vincent George Cassis in July of 1956. Residing in Kennington, she gave birth to her first son, Shane George Cassis in February of 1959 and later her second son, Michael Clive Cassis in October of 1960. She found employment as a Coloring Artist at Cambell & Sons Photography Studio in Brixton. A position she always treasured more than any other later employment. Though separated from him since 1963, her marriage to Vincent Cassis formerly ended in 1967 and whilst she remained in London for periods of time with her Brother, Winston Fletcher & his Wife Doris and Sister, Joyce Fletcher-Wilmot & her husband Alan in West Norwood, it was the abrupt passing of her youngest son Michael in 1968 which fueled her desire to seek change. Returning from a vacation to visit her siblings in New York City, she commenced the process of seeking residency in the United States. In 1971. Both her and Shane emigrated to the US and resided first with her brother Lunsford “Lunny” Fletcher, his wife Mona and their twin sons, Andre & Cary in Brooklyn. Another family reunion commenced as there were many visits and stays with her siblings both visiting from Jamaica or residing in other States & Canada. Siblings Alice, Ivy, Henry, Roy, Kenneth, Herby, Rennie, Dotty, Enid and Vi.“God is with us in all things and through all things”. The same is said for close, loving and dedicated families. She loved and was grateful for all her family. It was especially her knitting skills though that in her spare time over the years, she sat knitting for her many nieces & nephews in over three generations for which she earned her most cherished & favorite name, “Aunty Bon”. Many years later, in 2001, her son Shane & his wife Angelique called from Naples, Italy where he was then stationed and told her she was to have another long-awaited title, Grandma. He asked her to come over and move in with them as one family. Later that year she did, one month before the birth of her first Grandchild, Michael Andre Cassis in October of 2001. Retiring from the Navy in 2004, Shane & Angelique made the decision to settle in FL as over the years, many of all the Stateside family members had ditched NY for the warmer climate there. Her reunion with everyone in Ft Lauderdale & Orlando was priceless to her and a very happy time for everyone. It was soon surpassed though with another surprise as Shane & Angelique announced they were expecting another child. Matthew Kenrick Boyd Cassis was born in September of 2006. There were many visits to both cities and visits to their home in Merritt Island, FL. Though most of the 20 years spent in FL were wonderful times it was the passing of both Angelique’s Father and Sister within a very short time that prompted the need to move North and closer to her remaining Mother & family. Moving for a brief time to Greenville, NC as part of the longer work-related transfer to their final destination, Suffolk, VA. The family moved into their new home. Although a loving reunion with her “Sister from another Mister”, Angelique’s Mother, Rose Saunders, Bonnie’s memory and mental health had been deteriorating for the past several years. She had been developing Dementia even in FL and whilst controlling the speed of its increase with medication and health care visits, her condition continued to decline over the next 16 months. In May of 2025, her Physicians announced that she had reached the last stages of Dementia as she had lost the capability of speech and muscle control needed for sustenance. She was hospitalized several more times in an attempt to arrest her decline. In late June, the decision was made to change from Palliative Care to Hospice at Home. She passed peacefully, prayerfully surrounded by Shane, his wife, her Grandsons and nephew, Cary. She is reunited with her entire family of Brothers, Sisters, her Mother & Father and many long-time family and friends. She is survived and revered by all the rest of us as we celebrate her life, her love and her legacy.

Gloria B. Cassis

July 14, 1933 - July 3, 2025