Cassaundra Pell

Cassaundra “Cass” Pell was a rare beauty in heart and soul. She was conscious of fitness and wellbeing, the environment and culture. Cass was easily liked by others and she enjoyed making people laugh. Cass was truly loving and deeply loved however, she struggled with happiness. Cass strived every day to improve the way she saw the world and her place within it.

Cassaundra was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on September 11, 1989. She came into the world after long labor but right on time for James Pell and Natalie (Pickett)Pell. Cass was not only their much-anticipated first child but the first grandchild. Everyone from great grandparents to aunts and uncles patiently waited to have their time with the most wonderful bundle of joy. Cass grew up singing with Barney, fighting with The Power Rangers and being brave like Pocahontas.

Cass wished her beloved sisters, Hope and Maya had came sooner but was a natural caregiver and protector. Cass often talked of how proud she was of Hope and Maya. She enjoyed teaching them how to play tennis, tie-dye shirts, crochet and play the piano. Watching Hope and Maya play soccer was hard because Cass marveled at their abilities but would get agitated when the opposing team got physical with her little sisters.

In high school, Cass was a cheerleader, Choir member all four years and a co-captain of the tennis team. She was a perfectionist that lead her to be an outstanding student that graduated 25th in her class with honors. This also caused numerous nights of anguish because her work was just not up to her expectations. Cass was shocked to find out she received the Hugh O’Brien leadership Award; which is given to only one sophomore per school.

She was invited to be a “ HOBY “ Ambassador for Plainwell at the Leadership Camp at Michigan State University. Cass was scared because she did not believe that she belonged but had a great time bonding with many she had thought were “out of her league”.

After graduation, Cass’s grandmother offered to take her anywhere in the U.S. and it didn’t surprise many that she picked San Francisco to visit the corner of Haight and Ashbury. The most famous intersection in the world back in the mid-1960s. At that time the Grateful Dead lived all together on Ashbury and Janis Joplin around the corner on Lyon St. It was said that young people came from all over the world in search for love and peace.

Cass tried traditional college and it just wasn’t for her. She was intrigued with Eastern medicine. Cass attended the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts and became a Certified Massage Therapist. Upon graduation, Cass joined the staff at Sol Spring in Kalamazoo to practice her craft and continue her education in Holistic Health. Cass was her own person, exploring life’s ventures out of necessity and curiosity. Because she had certain food allergies, she changed her entire diet and became very health conscious which included growing her own vegetables and making all-natural foods.

Cass enjoyed nature and the simple things in life; wearing sundresses, practicing yoga, playing frisbee golf, tending to her garden and listening to her favorite artist (Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead and Bob Marley) on her vinyl records. Music and movement were as natural to her as the warm sun on your face. Cass’s passion for the piano and dance impressed all that had the opportunity to witness. Cass made time to crochet and/or create other homemade gifts for her family and friends. Cass’s latest creation was a set of hula hoops she made for herself out of flex tubing and hockey tape to explore a new type of meditation. What could be more whimsical, as well as, down-to-earth? That is just the kind of person she was; an intense thinker and playful dreamer.

Cass’s love for her dog Sunshine has no limit. Cass and Sunshine’s favorite place to get away was grandma and grandpa’s cottage on Pine Lake. Sunshine is now in the care of her loving grandparents, Ann and Dan Pell, who have always had a special place in Cass’s heart.

Cass is also survived by her sisters Hope and Maya Pell; grandparents Bill and Alice Pickett and Dan and Ann Pell; parents Natalie Pickett and Jim and Amy Pell; stepsiblings Brinklee and Adrian Davis and Larry Fitch ; aunts and uncles Jack and Sue Pell; Kathy and Rick Babbitt; Beth and Chuck Johnson; cousins Grant and Brooke Pell; MacKenzie and Drake Babbitt; Hailey, Gavin and Whitney Johnson, all of Plainwell; and many friends.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 11th from 4 to 7pm, Life Story Funeral Home, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell (269-685-5881). A Memorial service will be held on Friday, July 12th at 6pm at the same location. Burial will be held at the Hillside Cemetery at a later date.

Please visit Cassaundra’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guestbook, leave a memory and share a photo. Those who wish may make a memorial contributions to the Allegan County Animal Shelter and/or the Kalamazoo Nature Center.