Rotary Remembers Cassandra McDonald

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- As the community continues to mourn the sudden death of a beloved educator, friends are sharing memories of her bright and contagious personality.

Dr. Cassandra McDonald was known for being active in the community. She was an educator who founded the C.A.S.S.M.I.N.D. Academy where autistic students can learn business, culture, and arts. McDonald was no stranger to the arts herself. She was an award winning singer and many remember her love for breaking into song. Dan Mason, President of Noon Rotary, says no one did announcements quite like McDonald.

“She was also so vigorous in announcing birthdays and anniversaries. She would get everybody in our club up and singing to give those announcements. And I don’t know what I’m going to do as President because it’s not like anyone can come in and substitute and pick up where she left off.”

McDonald is leaving behind a vibrant legacy that others admire. Mason hopes her friends and colleagues will continue working on her projects to keep honor her name.

“What I’m hoping is some of the projects she’s worked on can’t be picked up by one person so I’m hoping more than one person steps forward and helps to contribute. Again, whether it was the C.A.S.S.M.I.N.D. Academy or her school in Putnam, or any of the other projects she’s worked on it’s going to take a group effort to succeed.”

The viewing for McDonald will be Friday, December 1st from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at North Terrace Church of Christ on Brandywine Boulevard. The funeral will also take place at North Terrace Church on December 2nd at 11:00 a.m..