A message from Information Systems and Technology (IST). Source: University of Waterloo Daily Bulletin.
The campus community is mourning the loss of friend and colleague Cassie Bechard, who passed away unexpectedly on June 24 as a result of a pulmonary embolism related to their broken ankle.
Cassie came to Waterloo in 2007 for an undergraduate degree in Honours Applied Mathematics. In addition to three co-op terms in the Arts Computing Office (ACO), Cassie also spent a co-op term with the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program, as a Web Developer. In 2013, shortly after graduation, Cassie joined Information Systems and Technology as a Computing Consultant, supporting the ACO during their first year, followed by what is now the Faculty of Health, for almost a decade. More recently, Cassie also began supporting Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
In Cassie’s role, they taught courses, lead projects and provided outstanding IT support to students, staff and faculty. Whether working with new students or senior administrators, Cassie was equally adept at explaining introductory computing concepts and helping to navigate more complex IT issues, devoting the time and attention needed to put every client at ease. Cassie will also be remembered for their passionate approach to the provision of accessible web sites and documents.
Cassie was an engaged member of the Waterloo campus community, and within Waterloo Region. Cassie had been a core member of W3+ since 2017 and played an important part of their expansion to be explicitly nonbinary-inclusive. Cassie will also be missed by members of the Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region (RCWR), where they were a long-serving volunteer and a founding Director and Officer when RCWR incorporated in 2021. Cassie was strongly motivated by a desire to ensure inclusive, safe spaces, are available to all.
Cassie possessed a welcoming presence which people gravitated toward. They brought their unique style everywhere, inspiring others to be themselves. Cassie possessed a rare gift for appreciating the small things and taking pleasure in life’s daily joys. In their spare time, Cassie enjoyed UW Fitness sessions, knitting, crafting and of course, their cat, Toby.
Cassie was a bright light who will be dearly missed by friends and colleagues and the University of Waterloo community.
A private, family funeral will take place. There will be a memorial for Cassie in Kitchener-Waterloo in the coming weeks. University flags will be lowered to half-mast on the day of Cassie's memorial to honour them.
Celebration of life for Cassie Bechard
As mentioned in the Daily Bulletin (July 7, 2023) and a previous email from Greg Smith (above), a Celebration of Life ceremony has been arranged for Cassie Bechard:
Saturday July 15, from 1:00 to 3:00
Notre Dame Chapel
St. Jerome's University
290 Westmount Rd. N
SJ1 - #7
Parking in SJU Lot B
See: Map of St. Jerome’s with Parking and Chapel location and location of St. Jerome's in relation to the main UW campus
