November 17, 2020
I have known Cassie since grade school as our mom's were fellow mahjong players. our personal friendship blossomed in 2003 as we ran into each other at Vallejos restaurant, and we exchanged phone numbers. we bonded over mutual relationship challenges, music, dining, shopping (eventually thrift store shopping ,as I was a volunteer at Weave Thrift, and Cassie volunteered for the SPCA Thrift store).
We both shared a love of music and I have fond memories of us dancing the night away through Smooth Jazz concerts at the Radisson, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Tower of Power, Michael Buble, Soul Reviews, Terry Steele, etc. We spent many summer nights dancing at Concerts in the Park, toting along our drinks, and munchies. We became "groupies" to more local bands, Caravan Serai, East Wind, and my friend Oscar's band The Old Pinoys'/Sunset Island Band. I will always visualize Cassie dancing with a smile on her face everytime I hear "Uptown Funk"! My favorite CD's are the ones Cassie "burned" for me....Andrea Bocelli, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, EW&F, TOP, and my all time favorite....anything and everything Freddie Mercury /Queen!
One Xmas season, with Christi in town, Cassie invited Laureen and I to her house for a holiday brunch where she made her famous "Cassierolle. For our "party favors", Cassie burned us CD's of a "mystery artist", and had us madly guessing his identity as the CD played him singing Al Green's "Let's Stay Together"....lo & behold, Donny Osmond!
Cassie and I also shared our love of dogs. Being "mom"s" of 4 legged children, Jade and Budda. When I had to put Budda down, heartbroken and devastated, I wanted to fill the void. Cassie rose to the challenge, got on line with" Lab Rescue", took me to the SPCA, County Animal Shelter in search of my new "4 legged love". We ended up finding a black lab research dog at UCD who was being "adopted out". I remember sending in my resume and went to meet "Ducky" (a 5 year old black lab) 2 days after the super bowl. I had to interview with the two "student handlers", who were responsible for caring for Ducky on off hours and weekends. I felt an immediate "love connection" with Ducky, his sweet spirit and happy wagging tail. I sealed the deal at the end of the interview by presenting the students (CJ & Jason) the yummy berry cobbler Cassie made for my superbowl party, hardly touched due to too full "junk food" bellys. They were both elated, and I was told later in the week, I was the" chosen one" to adopt Ducky! Cassie accompanied me to UCD to happily pick up Ducky and bring him home. Ducky is now 14 years old, and a valued member of AARP!
Cassie, you constantly inspired me with your strength, passion, and fortitude. Your love for Christi, and then Jade, were truly heartfelt. I applauded your discipline in embracing a new lifestyle of diet, exercise and pickleball to reverse your renal numbers, and was in awe of your new physicality, ,, happiness and personal growth. You were my "Benjamin Button", growing more youthful and energetic, while the rest of us were aging. You were always supportive and loyal to your circle of friends, and I am so grateful for you "always having my back".
Cassie, I will miss you dearly and hold our shared memories close to my heart. I will miss our weekly talks, clips of Christi's heroic gym feats, your beautiful artwork, artistic meal preparations, and our on-going "eye rolls" of new Trump antics.
Unfortunately Santorini was not possible for you due to Covid, but I now visualize you walking barefoot on the warm greek beach with Jade happily trotting by your side. I love you to the moon and back.
Vicki
We both shared a love of music and I have fond memories of us dancing the night away through Smooth Jazz concerts at the Radisson, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Tower of Power, Michael Buble, Soul Reviews, Terry Steele, etc. We spent many summer nights dancing at Concerts in the Park, toting along our drinks, and munchies. We became "groupies" to more local bands, Caravan Serai, East Wind, and my friend Oscar's band The Old Pinoys'/Sunset Island Band. I will always visualize Cassie dancing with a smile on her face everytime I hear "Uptown Funk"! My favorite CD's are the ones Cassie "burned" for me....Andrea Bocelli, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, EW&F, TOP, and my all time favorite....anything and everything Freddie Mercury /Queen!
One Xmas season, with Christi in town, Cassie invited Laureen and I to her house for a holiday brunch where she made her famous "Cassierolle. For our "party favors", Cassie burned us CD's of a "mystery artist", and had us madly guessing his identity as the CD played him singing Al Green's "Let's Stay Together"....lo & behold, Donny Osmond!
Cassie and I also shared our love of dogs. Being "mom"s" of 4 legged children, Jade and Budda. When I had to put Budda down, heartbroken and devastated, I wanted to fill the void. Cassie rose to the challenge, got on line with" Lab Rescue", took me to the SPCA, County Animal Shelter in search of my new "4 legged love". We ended up finding a black lab research dog at UCD who was being "adopted out". I remember sending in my resume and went to meet "Ducky" (a 5 year old black lab) 2 days after the super bowl. I had to interview with the two "student handlers", who were responsible for caring for Ducky on off hours and weekends. I felt an immediate "love connection" with Ducky, his sweet spirit and happy wagging tail. I sealed the deal at the end of the interview by presenting the students (CJ & Jason) the yummy berry cobbler Cassie made for my superbowl party, hardly touched due to too full "junk food" bellys. They were both elated, and I was told later in the week, I was the" chosen one" to adopt Ducky! Cassie accompanied me to UCD to happily pick up Ducky and bring him home. Ducky is now 14 years old, and a valued member of AARP!
Cassie, you constantly inspired me with your strength, passion, and fortitude. Your love for Christi, and then Jade, were truly heartfelt. I applauded your discipline in embracing a new lifestyle of diet, exercise and pickleball to reverse your renal numbers, and was in awe of your new physicality, ,, happiness and personal growth. You were my "Benjamin Button", growing more youthful and energetic, while the rest of us were aging. You were always supportive and loyal to your circle of friends, and I am so grateful for you "always having my back".
Cassie, I will miss you dearly and hold our shared memories close to my heart. I will miss our weekly talks, clips of Christi's heroic gym feats, your beautiful artwork, artistic meal preparations, and our on-going "eye rolls" of new Trump antics.
Unfortunately Santorini was not possible for you due to Covid, but I now visualize you walking barefoot on the warm greek beach with Jade happily trotting by your side. I love you to the moon and back.
Vicki
