CITY FOCUS:

Mary Cassanova may have passed away last month, but her signature shopping cart lives on.

Downtown denizens gathered last week for a candlelight vigil to remember Cassanova, a homeless woman who made herself an often-beloved fixture in downtown Huntington Beach over the last few decades. She died in Huntington Beach Hospital at age 74 in January.

In addition to the lights, residents cleaned out Cassanova’s shopping cart and set it up near Main Street as a memorial to her.

The clothes inside were given to charity, but some put souvenirs, like the costume jewelry she enjoyed, in the cart as a tribute. Those celebrating their old friend put out a book of memories as well for people to write in.

Cassanova was remembered as a generous soul who would give out Christmas presents out of her shopping cart whenever she came across something she didn’t need.

She was just as generous with compliments, said Main Street Hair stylist Debbie McCormick, who has lived downtown for 27 years and worked there for 13.

“She would always be complimenting me on my jewelry,” she said.

“She would always notice what I was wearing and tell me I looked great.”

McCormick remembers her as someone who lived outdoors by choice, befriended nearly everyone who spent a lot of time downtown, and never made a nuisance to anyone.

“We saw her all the time,” she said.

“Everyone that knows anything about downtown knows Mary. She was a lady who didn’t beg, and she was always pleasant.”