Obituary of Cassandra Lee Johnston

Cassandra Lee (Briscoe) Johnston Cassie passed away September 21, 2010, at Capital Medical Center due to complications following another surgery. Born April 14, 1948, in Tacoma, Washington, as the third child of Vernon and Betty Briscoe, the family moved to Olympia in the early 1960’s, where she graduated from Olympia High School in 1966. Cassie worked for Ralph’s Thriftway bakery, the downtown JC Penney store, and then to Olympic Drug (Sea Mart Drug) where she was promoted to store manager for a number of years; she was also an Executive Board member of Retail Clerks Union Local 367. After a 5 1/2 year courtship, she married Gary R. Johnston on December 31, 1973, had two children, Bryon and Suzi, and then returned to work at Ralph’s bakery in the early 1980’s. Cassie then found her real passion in life in helping families with children with disabilities; to the point where she had to quit her regular job because it didn’t leave her enough time to do all the volunteer work that she wanted to do. She was a founding member of the local Parent-to-Parent organization and also a founding member of the Early Intervention Family Alliance in addition to being very active with numerous other groups in the disabilities community. In recognition of her deep passion and strong advocacy skills as a volunteer, Cassie was offered numerous positions of leadership in several organizations dealing with helping families including regional and national Family Voices board positions. Cassie cared deeply about children and families and especially enjoyed working with, and being a mentor to, young family leaders; she was also a passionate legislative advocate focused on protecting children and families with disabilities. Cassie spent many years working in the early intervention system and never lost sight of how critical early supports and services are to the well being of young children with special healthcare needs or disabilities and their families. She thoroughly enjoyed presenting the ‘True Colors’ workshops using her many personal and entertaining teaching props. Cassie also served on the Governor’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Board. She received many local, regional, and national accolades for her strong advocacy, leadership and teaching skills. Cassie retired just four months ago after working with the Washington PAVE for 21 years as the Parent Participation Coordinator for the Washington State Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program. In her spare time, Cassie enjoyed cruising Puget Sound waters relaxing and entertaining guests aboard her “Princess” with family and friends. She was an excellent cook and delighted in trying and sharing new appetizer recipes. She loved planting flowers around the house, and had a love/hate relationship with the numerous resident deer who greatly appreciated her flower/food growing ability. Cassie also loved going to the ocean (especially the Oregon Coast), grandeur sunsets, the mountains, camping, every holiday, dolphins, birds and other wildlife, reading, and spending time with the grandkids. She was a ‘morning’ person, usually up before dawn, and enjoyed the tranquility of the daily sunrise. Preceding Cassie in death were her parents Vern and Betty Briscoe, and brother Larry Briscoe. Survivors include husband Gary; son Bryon (Courtney) Johnston of Dupont; daughter Suzanne Johnston at home; sister Sallie (John) Richards of Lacey; grandchildren Joseph, Autumn, Kassi, Brianna, Diaundra, and a new arrival due on December 1st; nieces Melissa Villalovos of Elma and Barbara (Ron) Salas of New Haven, Florida; and mother-in-law Marge Baker of Salem, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, or any cancer foundation, or to the Infant and Early Childhood Conference Cassie Johnston Parent Scholarship Fund, c/o Boyer Children’s Clinic, 1850 Boyer Ave E., Seattle, WA 98112. You may leave your memories of Cassie and leave condolences by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.