Cassidy is our beautiful 16-year-old daughter who tragically lost her life to suicide on December 20, 2015. Cassidy was the happiest, funniest, most free-spirited person you would ever meet. She enjoyed life to the fullest… she was fearless! She was goofy, she was a cheerleader, she would bring laughter to the room, she loved the outdoors, and she had a huge heart for all animals. Cassidy was a loyal friend and a loving daughter. She had incredible friends and a supporting family who loved her unconditionally. Cassidy had her whole world ahead of her … yet she fell victim to suicide.
Cassidy didn’t fit the typical mold you would expect from a victim of suicide. She wasn’t depressed, she wasn’t bullied, she wasn’t unhappy. She loved her friends and she loved life! She had no history of depression and she showed no warning signs before choosing to end her life that day. This devastation came as a horrific shock to our family. Cassidy did not reach out to anyone for help before choosing to end her life that Monday … she kept silent.
After going through the unimaginable pain and devastation of losing Cassidy to suicide so unexpectedly, we felt a strong calling and responsibility to make sure this did not happen to any other family in our community. Sadly, Cassidy’s suicide was just one of many teen suicides our community suffered last school year. We recognize the need to communicate and spread awareness about suicide with our youth. In Cassidy’s memory and honor, we have created the Cassidy Joined for Hope foundation. This foundation is the seed for the student-led movement that has begun in our community for the purpose of preventing teen suicides and saving lives.
Cassidy continues to shine her light every day through her friends, family, and all of the people she has touched with her story. She is a blessing to us all and we look so forward to the day we get to hug her sweet neck again. Until then, my angel, know that you are so loved. We miss you more than you can ever know. We hold on to your words every day …
“You’re doing better than you think you are … and God’s doing MORE than you think He is”.
Until we meet again ….Hugs and kisses!!
We love you so much!!!!