"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 19:21
 

Gayle Cassaro
February 9, 1971 -  February 28, 2005




 

This tribute was created in celebration of Gayle's life.  There are photos from her memorial service as well as other family pictures we've been asked to share.  A copy of her obituary is here as well.  You'll enjoy reading some of the wise quotes that Gayle shared so freely.  The audio files will allow you to close your eyes and listen to her voice speaking words from the heart. 

Of all the things this page has to offer, we'd like to thank the Cassaro and Hardy families for the most precious of them all.  They have graciously allowed us a glimpse into Gayle's final hours and her formal parting words to us all.

Goodbye Gayle...
 

Rest in Peace.



 

Memories...
 

On Saturday, March 5, 2005, a beautiful memorial service was held for Gayle Cassaro at Gilbert Family Church in Mesa, Arizona.  The building was filled to capacity.  The 350+ souls in attendance were only a fraction of those who knew Gayle and loved her and who now miss her presence in their lives.
 

Gayle's Memorial Service (March 5, 2005)

This was not your typical memorial service.  No black hats or veils here.  Instead, this was a true praise service.  It was a tribute to the way Gayle lived her life by finding faith and strength in adversity and praising God despite it all.  Memories were shared of better days... days before cancer and illness and pain.  Tears flowed easily for all, yet we rejoiced in our knowledge that Gayle has assumed her righteous place at the feet of Jesus.  Many spoke lovingly with their words of eulogy, but none with more strength and compassion than Gayle's husband, Mike.  He stood at the pulpit, a mighty man of God with son Zachary at his side, and pronounced his unfailing love for Gayle and his unshaken faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

 

Amanda, Mike, Zachary and
Katherine Cassaro (Mike's Mother)

 

View Photo's From
The Memorial Service

In Loving Memory

 

Memories of a Life
Memorial Service (March 5, 2005)
 

Gayle Sue (Hardy) Cassaro, 34, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away February 28, 2005, after battling cancer for five years. She was born Feb. 9, 1971, in St. Joseph, Michigan, the third of four children. After graduating from Mesa High School in 1989, Gayle married her high school sweetheart, Michael Cassaro, in 1991. She worked as a paralegal secretary for Ryan Woodrow & Rapp in Phoenix. She was actively involved in Gilbert Family Church, where she and her husband served as youth pastors and worked with college students. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She will be missed for her sweet spirit, contagious smile, great sense of humor and her spunk. Survivors include her wonderful husband, Michael Cassaro; daughter, Amanda Cassaro; son, Zachary Cassaro; parents, Dan and Jan Hardy of Higley; sister, Lana (Hardy) Gates of Mesa; brother, Steve Hardy of Mesa. She was preceded in death by her sister Sharon (Hardy) Cole. A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, March 5, 2005, Gilbert Family Church, 6935 E. Williams Field Rd., Mesa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Children's Education Fund at Arizona Federal Credit Union, account #576592.

Published in The Arizona Republic on 3/4/2005.

Quotes From Gayle

 

"The way I see it is you can feel sorry for yourself or embrace whatever the Lord has in store and move on."

"I know that His purpose is prevailing and He has a plan."

"I choose to accept whatever God brings my way, knowing that God is in control."

"We need to get off our pity party and get busy for God."

"My faith grew and I came to know and believe that my God is mighty."

"He is using disappointments in all of us, ... so that we can minister to others."

"If you know Jesus, death is a good thing."

 

 

Audio Files

 

Gayle speaking at Gilbert Family Church's Mother's Day Brunch (2004)
 

Mother's Day Brunch
(May 2004)

Time: 11:31 - File Size: 1.36MB


(Right click and choose
"Open Link in New Window")
 

This Picture:  Speaking before GFC's congregation after long hospitalization and respiratory failure. (July 2004)


Speaking From The Pulpit On "Disappointment"
(December 2004)

Time:  6:00 - File Size: 708KB

(Right click and choose
 "Open Link in New Window")
 

Her Final Hours
 

Early on Saturday, February 26th, 2005, Gayle asked her husband and her father to call the family together. She sensed her life was slowly slipping away and she wanted to see and communicate one more time with her family. As family members gathered and kissed her sweet bald head, she would rally enough to whisper, "I love you," to each one.

When it was time, Gayle, with sheer tenacity mustered all her remaining energy and in a very gentle yet forceful way, requested to see everybody's face. Quickly, all present gathered around her bed. As she lay there struggling for breath, she managed to condense her message for us into three powerful little words. It took an incredible amount of courage and determination but with force and concerted effort, she uttered her message and formal parting words to us all, "It's . . . been . . . good!"

 

Mike & Gayle Cassaro (June 24, 2001)

 

 

Cassaro Family
Photo Album

Many people have asked us for copies of various pictures.  To accommodate your requests, we have created this small family photo album.  You can "right click" on the images in the album to save and/or print the copies you desire.
 

To view the photo album:

Music Midi:  "The Hungry Heart"