A Tribute to Cassy Brown

June 8, 2021

I have been composing this in my head for the last two and half days and just can’t find the right words. What follows will have to do.

My sweet friend, Cassy Brown, is gone.

Now that my initial disbelief has dissipated, my heart is aching. She was just too young. She had so much more life left to live and so many more people she could bless, just by being who she was.

At the same time, I’ve felt overwhelmed by feelings of gratitude and pride for having the chance to know her.

Cass was one of the first girls I met on the soccer team when I started coaching at Maeser Prep. We were awful our first year (and the scores showed it!) but Cassy never let that get her down or stop her from giving it her all.

She was very talented. Never a showy wildcard, she was deliberate, methodical and focused on supporting her teammates. This was true after the whistle blew, too. When someone was injured, she was the first one there to pick them up. When someone was discouraged, she would build them up.

It was a no-brainer that she would be a captain when she got older.

Interestingly, one year she was captain of the team, editor of the newspaper and student body President. It wasn’t easy to meet all those demands and I remember how stressed she was but she followed through on her commitments the best she was able. It was remarkable to see.

She was also a gifted musician. She invited me to watch her perform and it was magical. It was so beautiful that I asked her to play for us at our reception. She did so to perfection.

The memory that stands out the most, however, was in the summer of 2012. She invited me to join a small group of women to go canyoneering at Zion National Park.

It was my first and only time and I was afraid. This adorable, tough-as-nails teenager talked me through it and made the whole experience unforgettable.

She was bigger than life. She was a natural leader. She was a mentor and an inspiration to so many- including her teachers and “mentors.”

My heart is hurting. I want to focus on the huge hug I’m going to give her when I see her again but, for right now, I still feel angry. And sad.

I love you Cassy. I miss you.

***

A few additional thoughts:

I just want to add my gratitude for all the kindness shown by friends and family. I love you all.

I am feeling so much more peace now. Time really brings healing and perspective. I feel more strongly than ever that Cassy is not gone. The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we will see her again. And He can and does help us to bear our grief until we do. My hope and prayer is that her family and close friends will be able to feel that assurance- if not now, soon.